The Savvy Reader

Jessica Off the Shelf Ep. 8: "The Hangover"

--CB

10 Books for the Sports Lover on Your List

Our holiday gift ideas series continues with this top 10 list -- books for the sports lover. Virve has put together a fantastically diverse list that touches on sports stars, the impact sports has on the world, and how owning one baseball card could turn you into a millionaire.

10 Books For The Sports Lover On Your List

Have you ever tried to wrap a golf club or a soccer ball? Save yourself the hassle. From hockey and boxing to sailing and horse racing, here are 10 easy-to-wrap gift ideas for every sports fan.

Playing With Fire
In this explosive memoir, Theo Fleury reveals all. Go behind the bench for the extreme highs of his glory days in the NHL, to the lows of his dark, personal issues of drinking, drugs and gambling.

Secrets of the Short Game
Phil Mickelson's Secrets of the Short Game, illustrated with 200 original instructional photographs and filled with personal tips, tricks, and secrets, gives all golfers a personal lesson with Phil Mickelson -- a talented athlete devoted to his sport.

Curl to Win
Olympic gold medalist Russ Howard brings you his best advice for improving your game. From tips on creating a game plan to choosing the best shot, from the arts of sweeping and delivery to nutrition and exercise, this is the essential guide for all curlers.

10 Books for the Musician on Your List

There's got to be someone on your list whose iPod is crammed with the latest sounds. Someone who spends far too much time playing Guitar Hero. Someone who is a guitar hero. Here are 10 great stories of rock and roll perfect for that person in your life who never says no to karaoke.

10 Books for the Musician on Your List

Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful
Playing together for over 25 years, Bon Jovi has put it all out there for the fans in this gorgeous book complete with exclusive photographs and revealing stories from the band members themselves. The book captures Jon, Richie, Dave, and Tico at both intimate moments and under the limelight in all aspects of their lives, from the private times backstage and to their extensive time on the road.

Strange Things Happen
Stewart Copeland (the drummer from The Police) tells stories from before, during, and after the band’s heyday. This rock memoir moves from Copeland’s remarkable childhood through the formation of The Police and their rise to stardom to the aristocratic life that followed, and finally behind the scenes of The Police’s extraordinarily successful reunion tour. (And yes, there are chapters about Sting, too.)

The Death of Bunny Munro
Nick Cave’s novel brings us the final days of Bunny Munro, a salesman in search of a soul. Set adrift by his wife’s suicide, Bunny drives off in with Bunny Jr. in tow. Yet, he seems only to have a dim awareness of his son’s existence, viewing his needs as a distraction from his own relentless pursuit of sex, alcohol and drugs. Cave’s exquisite novel questions the nature of sin and redemption, and lays bare the imprints that fathers leave on their sons.

Savvy Guest Post: Indigo's Eva Quan on The Pioneer Woman

Indigo's lovely non-fiction online merchandiser, Eva Quan, has written a delightful guest post for us about The Pioneer Woman Cooks. Straight from Ree Drummond's ridiculously successful blog to your table, start cooking like a pioneer woman with something as easy as this salad.

Her Most Favourite, Favourite Salad Ever, Ever, Ever!

I could have salad every night –- not the same salad, of course. But I love the idea of salad: crunchy, fresh, versatile... a party in a bowl. And the idea of being able to prep all or most of it in advance and then coming home, ready to eat in 5-10 minutes is perfect. I’m, uh, not the most patient person when it comes to food and hunger. People have accused me of a certain similarity to The Incredible Hulk, just smaller, Asian and without the purple wardrobe.

Enter Pioneer Woman (PW) and the Pioneer Woman’s Most Favorite Salad Ever. Ever, Ever, Ever!

I adore this recipe. This [cook]book has context. It’s rooted with a point of view (vegetarian city girl follows her heart to Oklahoma; culinary mash-up ensues) and a real life pantry and kitchen. There is no microfoaming [editor's note: micro what?], home butchering or epic set of instructions. This is simple, homey food -- beautifully and elegantly prepared.

Oran Canfield Answers Our Burning Pop Culture Questions

Oran Canfield sent over his response to our Pop Culture Questionnaire this week. If you haven't browsed through his addictive memoir, Long Past Stopping, why not give it a try after getting to know him just that little bit better here:

1. Do you have a favourite stand up comedian? Who is it and why?

Lenny Bruce, because of his complete irreverence, back when irreverence would get you thrown in jail.

2. Have you ever lied about a book to impress someone? What was the book? Did you ever get around to reading it?

No, but I'll do it now. Gravity's Rainbow was amazing (I'm sure it really is).

3. Which game show do you think you'd be most successful on if you were to be a contestant?

Not The Dating Game, that's for sure. Family Feud?

4. What was your favourite 80s television show?

The Young Ones.

5. What's the most embarrassing song on your iTunes?

"Hanging Tough" by New Kids on the Block.

6. If you could live the life of any film character, who would it be?

Sam Spade.

Usually, I don't judge because I have way, way worse songs on my iTunes. But that video for NKOTB sure brings me back. Heh.

Take Oran Canfield's road trip
Browse Inside to start reading Long Past Stopping
Buy the book
Watch a video

The Savvy Contest - The Conscious Cook

Epicurious named Tal Ronnen's The Conscious Cook as one of the year's best cookbooks. It's a revolutionary vegan cookbook -- Ronnen applies traditional French culinary techniques to turn out meals that are meatless, yes, but are certainly rich and full of flavour. We made his Split Pea Soup with Tempeh Bacon and Chipotle Cream the other weekend, with a few adjustments, and it was absolutely delicious: hearty, healthy -- perfect for a fall Sunday. The recipe Epicurious would have you try is Gardein "Chicken" Scaloppini with Shiitake Sake Sauce, Pea Shoots, and Crispy Udon Noodle Cakes. The contest that we're running would have you try any recipe in the book, blog about it, post a photo up on Flickr of it, tell your friends on Facebook about it -- all for the chance to win two really great prizes from Cuisinart.

THE CONTEST

1.Browse Inside to find a recipe to try, borrow the cookbook from the library, or buy it from Amazon, Chapters and/or your local independent. Then, test one recipe from Tal Ronnen's The Conscious Cook between now and December 31st.

2. Take a photo to prove you've "tested" the recipe.

3. Post the photo on your blog (or Flickr, or Facebook) with a short description of whether or not you liked it, how it all went, and what you thought of the process and/or the cookbook.

4. Send me (deanna.mcfadden@harpercollins.com) a note to where I can find the link.

THE PRIZES

Two grand prizes: 1. A state of the art Cuisinart blender plus one HarperCollins cookbook of your choice OR 2. A fantastic Cuisinart Crock pot and one HarperCollins cookbook of your choice.

Five secondary prizes: One HarperCollins Canada cookbook of your choice.

There are many reasons to try vegan even once a week: it's better for the environment, it's a way to source local vegetables and put them to good use, and it'll change up your table during the dreary winter months. Here are Tal's reasons for going vegan. But it's not often that someone's offering up fantastic prizes along with the chance to try something just a little bit different.

*NOTE: Prizes subject to change.

Enjoy!

Tish Cohen Premieres Story on Twitter for TVO

Starting today, Tish Cohen will be tweeting an original story via @tvo. Over the course of about 100 tweets, the story will support TVO's documentary series, Empire of the World. You may see or hear Tish over the next few days talking about this new and exciting project in the media. If you're not on Twitter, don't despair, we'll be publishing the digital short worldwide in the new year.

Westminster Books Let the Wild Rumpus Start, Indeed!

A few weeks ago, Westminster Books in Fredericton, NB, hosted an amazing party based on Maurice Sendak's classic, Where the Wild Things Are. Jessica "J Off the Shelf" Anderson sent over some fantastic promotional materials (see the window in the photo!), and the kids that attended had a blast being "wild" for the afternoon, crowns and all.

I'm sorry I missed it. Especially the activities. And the wearing of the crown. And the general mayhem involved with being a wild thing. The rest of the photos are up on our Flickr account.

Author Event: Michael Chabon in Toronto

Manhood for Amateurs author Michael Chabon will be in Toronto on Monday, November 23rd for an event at Indigo Bay & Bloor. Starting at 7 PM, chief booklover Heather Reisman will interview the author about his new book. A book signing will follow the event.

So many people count Michael Chabon among their favourite writers -- myself included -- and I'm already excited about the chance to hear him talk about his process, his books and (maybe?) his family in conversation with Heather Reisman.

Author Interview: Cecelia Ahern

Harper UK sent over this fantastic, in-depth interview with author Cecelia Ahern. Her latest novel, The Book of Tomorrow, came out this fall. Below Ahern talks about the spiritual process of writing, what she thinks about social networking and the nicest experiences she's ever had with her fans. 

What inspired your latest book, The Book of Tomorrow?
It’s about my love for books. I believe they’re magical and sometimes they choose you rather than the other way round. Books can come into your life at a time when you’re going through a rough patch, with the power to rescue you, and this is what happens in this one. I came up with the concept first –- a diary that writes itself, leading me to ask who would find it and why they would need it -– and then the characters developed from there. Poor, selfish Tamara is the central character who has never thought about five minutes in the future, never mind tomorrow, and now as her life is turned upside down, she’s forced to face the reality of what tomorrow can bring.