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Marathon of books touches down in Louisbourg

Posted by Mike Hunter on January 29, 2014

Amy Mathers is a volunteer with the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, who has embarked on a unique marathon: She will read one Canadian teen book a day all this year and share a brief review!

Here is what Amy had to say about Philip Roy and Blood Brothers in Louisbourg (CBU Press 2012).

“Richly detailed […] a thoughtful, philosophical exploration of the topics of war, personal fulfilment, and finding where you belong…”

You can read her full book review here and learn more about her marathon of books here.

Amy Mathers is a volunteer with the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, who has embarked on a unique marathon: She will… Continue»

CBU Press in the news

Posted by Mike Hunter on January 28, 2014

Nice to see CBU Press authors and their books in the news here and there. Last week (Jan. 22), both the Port Hawkesbury Reporter and the Inverness Oran ran our story about Lindsay Marshall and Frank Macdonald (Ullapool Book Festival, 2014).

The Cape Breton Post (January 27) includes an article on Michael Newton’s forthcoming award (see our post) from St. Andrews University Scottish Heritage Centre in Laurinburg, NC (read the Post article here). CBU Press will be at the centre’s annual symposium April 4-6 – looking forward to meeting hundreds of Scots descendants in North Carolina.

Resource Links magazine is Canada’s national journal devoted to the review and evaluation of Canadian English and French resources for children and young adults. Their picks for The Year’s Best 2013 include two CBU Press books: Me & Mr. Bell, by Philip Roy (Fiction Grades 3-6) and The Manager by Caroline Stellings (Fiction Grades 7-12).

Philip Roy

Nice to see CBU Press authors and their books in the news here and there. Last week (Jan. 22), both the… Continue»

Michael Newton to be honoured by U.S. Scottish Heritage Center

Posted by Mike Hunter on January 27, 2014

Celtic studies scholar Michael Newton, formerly of St. Francis Xavier University and now at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, will be recognized for his considerable contribution to Scottish studies by the Scottish Heritage Center at St. Andrews University in Laurinburg, NC.

Newton’s latest book, The Naughty Little Book of Gaelic (All the Scottish Gaelic You Need to Curse, Swear, Drink, Smoke and Fool Around), published by CBU Press, will be launched at the 25^th annual Scottish Heritage Weekend Symposium (April 4-6, 2014) in Laurinburg.

Michael Newton is recognized as one of the top scholars of Scottish Studies in the United States at present. He received his PhD in Celtic Studies from the University of Edinburgh. He taught in the Celtic Studies dept. at St. Francis Xavier University from 2008-13.

Now a resident of North Carolina, he is working as Technical Lead in the Digital Humanities Lab at UNC-CH. He has published an abundance of articles on Scottish Gaelic history, culture, music and literature in recent years and his latest books include Warriors of the Word: The World of the Scottish Highlanders (Birlinn, 2009), and Celts in the Americas (CBU Press, 2013).

Newton will be receiving the inaugural Saltire Award from the St. Andrews University Scottish Heritage Center for his considerable contributions to the study of Scottish and Gaelic history and culture. His latest book will be formally launched during the weekend’s events.

Last year, CBU Press author June Skinner Sawyers (Bearing the People Away: The Portable Highland Clearances Companion, 2013) was honoured by the same centre with its Flora MacDonald Award for her many books on Scots heritage.

This year’s symposium will also commemorate the 250^th anniversary of the first group of Highland Scots to settle in North Carolina.

Illustrated by Arden Powell, The Naughty Little Book of Gaelic goes on sale in Canada and worldwide in mid-April.

Celtic studies scholar Michael Newton, formerly of St. Francis Xavier University and now at the University of North Carolina, Chapel… Continue»

“Engages and entertains” highly recommended: review

Posted by Mike Hunter on January 21, 2014

The Nashwaak Review, vol. 30-31, no. 1, 2013, pp. 380-85.

Excerpt from a review essay by Trevor Sawlor, who teaches in the English Dept. at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, NB. This review is still in hard copy only, we will include a link when the journal has been posted in-line.

Of The Manager, by Caroline Stellings, he writes: “a novel that engages, entertains, and one that offers a message of tolerance and self-acceptance, and it does so through a very satisfying ending. I highly recommend it.”

The Nashwaak Review, vol. 30-31, no. 1, 2013, pp. 380-85. Excerpt from a review essay by Trevor Sawlor, who teaches… Continue»

“Me and Mr. Bell” decidedly memorable: review

Posted by Mike Hunter on

The Nashwaak Review, vol. 30-31, no. 1, 2013, pp. 380-85.

Excerpts from a review essay by Trevor Sawlor, who teaches in the English Dept. at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, NB. This review is still in hard copy only, we will include a link when the journal has been posted in-line.

Of Me and Mr. Bell, by Philip Roy, he writes: “both eminently readable and decidedly memorable.”

“worth the read—it’s a definite improvement over much of the [YA] fiction currently in bookstores, and I would not hesitate to give it to my children.”

The Nashwaak Review, vol. 30-31, no. 1, 2013, pp. 380-85. Excerpts from a review essay by Trevor Sawlor, who teaches in… Continue»

“Our Entire World Writ Small”: Frank MacDonald’s A Possible Madness

Posted by Laura Bast on

A Possible Madness is an unusual sort of historical fiction. None of the characters is real, and it doesn’t take place in the distant past. As Wilf Cude writes in his review of the book, published in The Antigonish Review, “the tiny community of Shean [the fictional town in which A Possible Madness is set] is in truth very real — and is in truth everywhere.”

Cude writes in-depth about the historical context of Frank MacDonald’s newest novel. It’s also hard not to come away from reading the review (or the novel) without realizing the story’s frightening relevance for today.

And on top of that, it’s an enjoyable read. Cude writes:

“Follow the fascinating intricacies of the narrative’s plotline…. And enjoy, simultaneously, the shrewd rendition of the novel’s many and varied characters.” He calls one of them “a near-Dickensian triumph of a Cape Breton original.”

“It is … an anticipatory sketch of our entire world writ small.”

Read the full review in The Antigonish Review here.

A Possible Madness is an unusual sort of historical fiction. None of the characters is real, and it doesn’t take place… Continue»

“Johnston has without a doubt changed my opinion of historical fiction”

Posted by Laura Bast on January 20, 2014

Trevor Sawler, who teaches at St Thomas University, has written an in-depth review of A.J.B. Johnston’s historical novel Thomas: A Secret Life. The review was published in issue 173 of The Antigonish Review.

Sawler writes, “This is a fine novel, one that strikes just the right balance between fact and fiction.”

He continues, “Rather than an historical figure who is defined solely by his espionage-related activities later in life, [Thomas] becomes a fully developed, engaging character.”

Sawler admits he was skeptical at first, and doesn’t usually like historical fiction, but he says that “The blending of history and fiction that Johnston gives us, and which I thought would be the book’s greatest weakness, is exceptionally well handled.”

Read the full review here.

Watch for news about The Maze, another Thomas Pichon novel, set to come out in June 2014.

Trevor Sawler, who teaches at St Thomas University, has written an in-depth review of A.J.B. Johnston’s historical novel Thomas: A… Continue»

Hugh R. MacDonald and Angelo Spinazzola at Gov’s Book Pub

Posted by Laura Bast on January 16, 2014

Take a look at Ken Chisholm’s column in the Cape Breton Post, where he gives a little preview of next week’s first Authors With Glasses: Governors Book Pub of the year.

Chisholm talks to featured author Hugh R. MacDonald about his experience of writing and sharing his children’s novel Trapper Boy:

“An author writes a book in solitude, and for the audience, reading a book is a solitary adventure, so an author doesn’t get immediate feedback. By reading a chapter or two aloud, the writer can see and hear the reactions of the audience right away. Readings allow books to have a performance element.”

Read Ken’s article in full.

Angelo Spinazzola will also be there, sharing from The Blue Room, which was launched last fall.

See you Tuesday, January 21
7-9pm
Governors Pub and Eatery, upstairs
entry by donation

Take a look at Ken Chisholm’s column in the Cape Breton Post, where he gives a little preview of next… Continue»

CB authors to international festival

Posted by Mike Hunter on

Great news out of Scotland today! (Okay, we knew about it but couldn’t say anything until today.)

The Ullapool Book Festival takes place in that seaside town in Scotland in May 2014 and this year’s Canadian contingent of two authors are both from Cape Breton.

Frank Macdonald, Inverness, and Lindsay Marshall, Potlotek First Nation, will appear during the tenth festival, May 9-11.

The list of their predecessors is impressive: Award winning novelists Iain Banks, Alistair Macleod, Wayne Johnston and Linden MacIntyre, as well as Alexander MacLeod, Roger Hutchinson, folklorist Margaret Bennett and poets Angus Peter Campbell and Rody Gorman.

Frank Macdonald’s two novels, A Forest for Calum and A Possible Madness, were both longlisted for the IMPAC Dublin International Literary award as well as for Atlantic Book Awards. Both books have been used in school and university classrooms, A Possible Madness in particular for its strong environmental theme. Both books are published by CBU Press.

Mi’kmaw poet Lindsay Marshall is a former chief of Potlotek First Nation, Nova Scotia. His poetry collection Clay Pots and Bones, first published by Solus in 1997, will be re-released by CBU Press in 2014. Marshall was honoured to be Mi’kmaw poet laureate, leading the official welcome of Queen Elizabeth II to Nova Scotia in 2010.

Founded by a group of literary enthusiasts in Ullapool and a local voluntary arts organization the Ullapool Book Festival was first held in 2005.

Literature and the arts have a significant place in Highland culture and life. The book festival is a showcase for Highland writers, writers from other parts of Scotland, and indeed the world, to come and create and enjoy an inspirational atmosphere. It gives an opportunity for local people and visitors alike to hear the best the world of literature has to offer.

Financial support for the Ullapool Book Festival comes from Creative Scotland and Bòrd na Gàidhlig. The festival’s program will be announced in late March when tickets go on sale.

Congratulations Frank and Lindsay!

Great news out of Scotland today! (Okay, we knew about it but couldn’t say anything until today.) The Ullapool Book… Continue»

Add These to Your 2014 Reading List

Posted by Laura Bast on January 9, 2014

Making a list of all the books you’re planning to read in 2014?

Look no further. An article from yesterday’s Cape Breton Post lists all the books coming out from CBUP in 2014, and also gives you a good idea of what we’ve been up to lately.

Read the full article here.

Please note that the sentence “We’re not an academic publisher or a trade publisher” should read “We’re not a [typical] academic publisher.”

Making a list of all the books you’re planning to read in 2014? Look no further. An article from yesterday’s Cape… Continue»