Walt Whitman’s Secret by George Fetherling. (Random House, 2010) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Walt Whitman’s Secret

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

In Vancouver, I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

Walt Whitman is arguably America’s greatest poet, and his final years provide a basis for the new novel from the author and poet George Fetherling. Walt Whitman’s Secret is a reimagining of Whitman’s final years. The author of Leaves of Grass is an ill man, whose admirers view him as not only a venerated writer, but some sort of mystic. Whitman struggles with some personal secrets and demons, and in this book we also look at ideas of nationalism, identity, and celebrity. George Fetherling joins me from here in Vancouver to talk about this book and more. We’ll talk about his own writing, and whether he thinks Whitman is relevant to today. Walt Whitman’s Secret is published by Random House. It has already been described as ‘an extraordinary achievement,’ and a ‘resonant, shimmering work.’ Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, George Fetherling; Good morning, Mr. Fetherling.

Ghosted by Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall. (Random House, 2010) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Ghosted

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall is highly regarded in the literary community here in Canada. His first book, a memoir, Down to This, received good notices and many award nominations. He has just published his first novel, a book described as ‘audacious,’ ‘not for the faint of heart,’ ‘harrowing,’ ‘spellbinding,’ as well as ‘Bukowski craggy and Hornby sweet.’ Mason is the lead character, and he’s not doing too well, battling gambling, alcohol and drug vices, he aspires to be a writer, but can’t seem to get it together. His landlord, creditor and dealer is his friend Chaz, who gets him to start selling hot dogs. He gets a gig as a writer, from some guy who asks him to write a love letter to this girl. The guy kills himself, and it turns out he’s just written the guy’s suicide note. The book goes on from here and we’ll get the author to tell us more. It’s called Ghosted, and it’s published by Random House. Mr. Bishop-Stall was also on the television program The Newsroom. In Vancouver today, please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall; Good morning, Mr. Bishop-Stall.

The Year of Finding Memory by Judy Fong Bates. (Random House Canada, 2010) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Year of Finding Memory

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

One of my favourite books of the year is the moving and elegant The Year of Finding Memory by Judy Fong Bates. She came to Canada in the 1950s at a very young age. Her parents were dispirited Chinese, who resented their new home away from home. She feels more Canadian than anything else, and a trip to China some years later uncovers some back story about her parents life, as well as reveals to herself, a greater understanding of her identity, whatever that might be. It’s an unforgettable book from one of the country’s acclaimed writers. Her short-story collection China Dog: And Other Stories, and her novel Midnight at the Dragon Cafe were critically acclaimed. The Year of Finding Memory is published by Random House. She joined me last week while in Vancouver promoting this book. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Judy Fong Bates; Good morning, Ms. Fong Bates.

The Armageddon Factor: The Rise of Christian Nationalism in Canada by Marci McDonald. (Random House, 2010) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Armageddon Factor

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

The author of one of the year’s most talked about books joins me now. Marci McDonald is the author of The Armageddon Factor: The Rise of Christian Nationalism in Canada. It’s gotten a lot of press over the last week or so. In this book, the author contends, that Canada isn’t far off from our American neighbours, where fundamentalist Christians wield tremendous power over the politics of the country. The culture wars in the United States has long been a fascinating topic, and this book suggests the groundwork is being done now to influence the government, namely that of Stephen Harper. We’re seeing some policy shifts from the government, such as that on abortion, same-sex marriage, and foreign policy, namely in the Middle East. Critics of the book call it anti-Christian, as she names some of the names that are active in this movement, as well as some of the beliefs they espouse, such as that Canada has a biblically ordained role to play in the final days before Armageddon and the Second Coming of Christ. Marci McDonald is an award-winning journalist, and former Paris and Washington bureau chief for Maclean’s, as well as a writer for US News and World Report. The book is published by Random House. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, in Vancouver this morning, Marci McDonald; Good morning, Ms. McDonald.

The Heart Does Break: Canadian Writers on Grief and Mourning edited by George Bowering and Jean Baird. (Random House, 2010) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Heart Does Break

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

A powerful, resourceful, and much needed book is The Heart Does Break: Canadian Writers on Grief and Mourning. It’s a collection of remarkable essays about death from some of Canada’s best known writers. Those whose writing is featured include Brian Brett, Austin Clarke, Frank Davey, Jill Frayne, Joan Givner, Marni Jackson, Paul Quarrington, and Steven Reid among many others. The collection is edited by George Bowering and Jean Baird, who sought a book like this when Ms. Baird’s daughter, Bronwyn died suddenly. Joining me now are George Bowering and Jean Baird. She is the head of the Al Purdy A-Frame Trust, and is an English professor and a former magazine publisher. George Bowering is a poet, novelist, essayist, critic, historian and editor. He was Canada’s first Parliamentary Poet Laureate. The book, The Heart Does Break is published by Random House. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program George Bowering and Jean Baird; Good morning, Ms. Baird; Good morning, Mr. Bowering.

Ecoholic Home: The Greenest, Cleanest and Most Energy-Efficient Information Under One (Canadian) Roof by Adria Vasil. (Vintage Canada, 2009) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Ecoholic Home

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

Adria Vasil joins me now. She authored the acclaimed and bestselling of Ecoholic, and she returns now with Ecoholic Home: The Greenest, Cleanest and Most Energy-Efficient Information Under One Roof. It offers timely, helpful, necessary tips we can use in our homes, whether we live in a house or an apartment. They’re timely because in light of this economic crisis we can live more conscious of the environment. Conversely, were we live greener, we’ll notice some savings in the long term. Adria Vasil has long been a green advocate appearing in a number of publications, prominently in NOW Magazine, as well as on all the major television outlets. She joins me from here in Vancouver. Her website is www.ecoholic.ca. Ecoholic Home is published is by Vintage Canada. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Adria Vasil; Good morning, Ms. Vasil.

Tony Aspler’s Cellar Book: How to Design, Build, Stock and Manage Your Wine Cellar Wherever You Are by Tony Aspler. (Random House Canada, 2009) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Tony Aspler’s Cellar Book

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

Tony Aspler is Canada’s premiere wine writer. He’s known as ‘The Wine Guy,’ what with his prolific writing on wine for over thirty years. He was a wine columnist at the Toronto Star for over twenty years, and he’s written fifteen books on food and wine. He was on three years ago for The Wine Atlas of Canada, and now he’s out with Tony Aspler’s Cellar Book: How to Design, Build, Stock and Manage Your Wine Cellar Wherever You Are. I don’t drink wine; I guess I don’t have a taste for it, but I enjoyed this book, as it tells Tony’s story about his love for wine, and this sort of adventure he’s had building a wine cellar. He lives in a condominium in Toronto, not somewhere you’d think a wine cellar were apt for. He pulls it off and tells how in this book. Also, you’ll find recommendations, as well as reference material to help with one’s wine vocabulary, and how to match food with wine. The book is published by Random House. The website for more is www.tonyaspler.com. Tony Aspler is a member of the Order of Canada, and is a director of the Canadian Wine Library. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Tony Aspler; Good morning, Mr. Aspler.

The Boy in the Moon: A Father’s Search for His Disabled Son by Ian Brown. (Random House, 2009) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Boy in the Moon

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

A couple of years ago, in a series of pieces in the Globe and Mail, my guest now, Ian Brown wrote about his son, Walker, who suffers from a rare genetic mutation, it’s so rare that only a hundred or so people in the world suffer have it. It’s called cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome, CFC. Walker is delayed in development, and has to wear cuffs on his arms as he constantly hits himself. And at night, someone has to sleep with Walker to calm him, and to make sure he doesn’t hurt himself. Amidst the turmoil to Walker and his family, something deeper, thoughtful and marvellous is revealed, not only about Walker, but his father. I am sure the reader will find something profound to take away from this book. The book is called The Boy in the Moon: A Father’s Search for His Disabled Son. It’s published by Random House. It breaks your heart, as well as lifts your spirits, this book. Ian Brown is a feature writer at the Globe and Mail and anchors two documentary programs on TVO, Human Edge and The View From Here. He was the host of that CBC Radio program, Talking Books. He’s written two previous books. Here in Vancouver this day, please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Ian Brown; Good morning, Mr. Brown.

Egg on Mao: The Story of an Ordinary Man Who Defaced an Icon and Unmasked a Dictatorship by Denise Chong. (Random House, 2009) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Egg on Mao

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

Joining me now is the noted Canadian author, Denise Chong, who for the first time in a decade returns with a new book. Egg on Mao: The Story of an Ordinary Man Who Defaced an Icon and Unmasked a Dictatorship is a compelling book that tells the story of Lu Decheng, a small town mechanic, who saw through the Communist’s rule in China. He and a couple of friends, travel to Beijing at the height of the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989—20 years ago earlier this summer—and with paint filled eggs pelt the famed portrait of Chairman Mao. They’re jailed, but that’s not the end of the story. What follows is an account of Lu’s life, as well as a view onto China during those years of protest and beyond. Denise Chong is the author of two previous books, The Concubine’s Children and The Girl in the Picture. They were prize winners and big bestsellers. Egg on Mao is published by Random House. In Vancouver this day, please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Denise Chong; Good morning, Ms. Chong.

You Were Always Mom’s Favorite!: Sisters in Conversation Throughout Their Lives by Deborah Tannen. (Random House, 2009) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: You Were Always Mom’s Favorite!

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.
Here’s an illuminating book on the relationship that sisters have with one another. I’m an only child, yet I found the book fascinating. It’s already a New York Times bestseller: You Were Always Mom’s Favorite? Sisters in Conversation Throughout Their Lives. It’s published by Random House, and its author joins me from Toronto this day. Deborah Tannen is a professor of linguistics at Georgetown, and frequently appears on radio and television. Her previous books, You Just Don’t Understand, and You’re Wearing THAT? were huge bestsellers. She is the youngest of three sisters. I’m pleased to welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Deborah Tannen; Good morning, Professor Tannen.