The Savvy Reader

Tim Winton wins the Miles Franklin Award

The unstoppable Tim Winton, already a two-time finalist of the Man Booker Prize, has just won the Miles Franklin Award for the fourth time for Breath. Here's a release (plus a video) of his inspiring acceptance speech.

Tim Winton wins the 2009 Miles Franklin Award for his novel Breath.

Four times a winner of the nation's most prestigious prize and the only writer ever to have won four times in his own right, Winton was on his beloved Ningaloo Reef in the north of WA when the announcement was made in Sydney tonight.

"It's been a strong year for Australian novels," said the author. "When you consider that your book is up against work by Richard Flanagan, Helen Garner, Peter Carey and Murray Bail you'd have to be a hell of an optimist to fancy your chances.  I'm stoked, of course, but also mindful that there are terrific writers who will be feeling pretty stiff tonight, because their books are more than good enough to have won. To some extent I feel like the kid who's simply left holding the parcel when the music stops."

“Profound or Whatever” - Jerry Levitan On the Fly

Forty years ago, Jerry Levitan snuck into a Toronto hotel to meet his idol, John Lennon. But instead of being kicked out by security, he was invited to spend an entire day with the man himself. During that time, Jerry and John got to talk about life, love, music and everything in between. Now, all the details of that extraordinary day, plus an exclusive 45-minute interview with John, have been captured in the bestselling I Met the Walrus. Jerry has already told us how meeting Lennon changed his life; now, he shares with us John’s incredible writing process.

Lynn Johnston - On the Fly video and a Contest!

Last week, our publicist Melissa blogged about Lynn Johnston’s whirlwind weekend in Toronto, promoting the adorable (and bestselling) Farley Follows His Nose. Now, we can unveil another surprise for you: an On the Fly video with Johnston, the lady responsible for years of early AM laughs with For Better or For Worse.

And if any of you die-hard Johnston fans haven’t already bought your own copy of Farley Farley Follows His Nose, then you’re in luck because we’re giving a couple away! All you have to do is tell me about your absolute favorite Farley moment in the comments section below, and you might just be crowned our winner. Deadline is June 24, 2009. May the biggest Farley fan win!

--Narvan

Kat Von D - On the Fly backstage at The Hour

While in Toronto last week promoting her new book High Voltage and attracting hundreds to each book signing, Kat Von D, star of L.A. Ink was good enough to answer an On the Fly question. Watch for our first On the Fly guest star.

HCC News: The January Blues Edition

One of our most faithful readers, Rachel, sent us a note the other day: "I hate January and am in a complete post-Christmas rut of gloom. Can you help?" With the sidewalks in Toronto more like skating rinks, it's not safe for reading and walking (one of my favourite activities), there has to be more we can do to beat the winter blues. Here are some helpful links:

Why not try cooking one of the Golden Whisk-award winning recipes? Three of our authors, Tana Ramsay, Jamie Oliver and Anita Stewart created winning dishes according to the Toronto Star's Kim Honey.

Take winter on the chin and learn how to make the perfect snowball according to the authors of The Daring Book for Girls.

Catch up with our authors "On the Fly": Wally Lamb, Francine Prose, Arthur Slade, Lawrence Hill and Rivka Galchen.

Trying to keep those New Year's Resolutions? These 15 Books will make those 'new year, new you' hopes and dreams come true.

Read it before you see it: 100% of Neil Gaiman's Coraline is accessible through Browse Inside this month.

And speaking of movies, there's a lot of buzz about Steven Soderbergh's Che. Why not spend Three Nights in Havana before that picture comes out?

Entertainment Weekly says: "Fans of Ann Patchett and Haven Kimmel should dive onto the sofa one wintry weekend with Stephanie Kallos' wonderfully transportive second novel, Sing Them Home." See for yourself why they gave the book an A-.

Anyone else have suggestions about beating the winter blues?

HCC Video: Coraline Trailer

One the most anticipated films around these parts is the upcoming Coraline. Based on Neil Gaiman's book of the same name, the stop-motion animated film was directed by Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas) and some of the voice talent includes Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher and Ian McShane. Make sure you mark your calendars because we'll be opening up 100% of the book starting on January 8th through Browse Inside. But for now, here's the latest trailer: 

Author Video - On the Fly with Lawrence Hill

Lawrence Hill was kind enough, on the day of the Canada Reads announcements no less, to take a few minutes to record an On the Fly. We stepped outside of the CBC building on Front Street, decided that the construction would ruin the sound if we stood in the park nearby, so we walked over to the Convention Centre. And I'm happy that it didn't turn out too badly considering it was my first time with the "fancy" camera.

Now, let me turn the question to you: what book would you choose to defend on Canada Reads?

Author Video - Ken McGoogan "On the Ice"

Ken McGoogan took along one of our digital cameras when he visited the frozen north (remember, he guest blogged the experience!) and documented his travels. Here's the first of our "On the Ice" videos that incorporates his footage. What's so cool is twofold: 1. he's bringing the subject matter of his latest book, Race to the Polar Sea to life and 2. he's in a place that so few people will ever see. Amazing!

On the Fly: Mo Hayder I & II

Mo Hayder was in the office a few weeks back and was kind enough to answer two On the Fly questions for me. And I'd love to open up one of them to you guys too -- would you be able to choose just one "desert island" book? I like her choices -- but I might bring along a copy of Les Stroud's new book, Survive!, too.

Mo Hayder - On the Fly I

Mo Hayder - On the Fly II

News and Noteworthy: The Graveyard Book on Tour

Neil Gaiman's reading a chapter of The Graveyard Tour aloud on each stop of his tour. The readings are taped and so if you watch every day by the end you will have (natch) heard the whole book. (links via Boing Boing via Twitter).