In my last book review, I mentioned Atlantis Books. Since we were staying in Firostefani, which is where the current Atlantis Bookstore is located on the island of Santorini, we had to explore it. This cozy shop perches on the edge of the caldera, a vast, black, watery crater created when the volcano exploded on Santorini some 3600 years ago and wiped out the Minoans. A winding path allows tourists to wander up and down its edge and ogle the white-washed houses perched on cliff edges wrapped in greenery. There is a dog, a beautiful, lounging dog that fits perfectly among the quiet cacophony of books, maps, photographs, quotes, and memorabilia.Â
Atlantis Books is the lovechild of Craig and Oliver, who created the first rendition in 2004 with a group of friends. Previously, it was in Oia (EE-ah) that much photographed white and blue marvel of Greek island architecture. I imagine it’s a labour of love as most people come to browse and not buy. One whole room is devoted to large black and white photographs that chronicle the story of its birth. The shop is stocked with rare books and literature in several languages, philosophy, poetry, and all things Greek. It was a joy to see Leonard Cohen holding a prominent place among the shelves.
I’m offering Blue Pencil Readings at this wonderful event! Come shop and talk about your writing with a professional author.
The Times: December 7 & January 11 between 11am-2pm.
The Place: Reflections Bookstore. Bring your ideas and two-three pages of polished writing. Email Wendy at bluehavenpress@gmail.com to book your free twenty-minute spot.
When I saw this funky bookshop on Twitter yesterday, I decided to find it. As if by magic (which no doubt it was) I discovered Iron Dog Books parked in front of Moody Ales this afternoon. They were there supporting AJ Devlin. Jeremy and I have done a couple of readings together so I’d come to congratulate him on the launch of Cobra Clutch and buy a signed copy. The place was packed–Sunday afternoon in the Brewery District of Port Moody–a successful launch for AJ Devlin and Cobra Clutch! #cobraclutch
@ajdevlinauthor Cobra Clutch is a fast-paced, hard-hitting debut novel by AJ Devlin that has an unstoppable combo: a signature move of raucous humour with a super finisher of gritty realism. And here’s a great endorsement from Sam Wiebe: “In this fast-paced, energetic debut, Devlin ingeniously merges the worlds of pro wrestling and private eyes into a breakneck adventure that will leave readers breathless. Intense and cinematic.”
That’s no surprise since AJ earned a Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting from the American Film Institute, and gave Hollywood a shot before moving back home to Port Moody.
After visiting Moody Ales, I had to check out the bookmobile. I grew up with a bookmobile in small-town Ontario. Perhaps, that’s why I was thrilled to see Iron Dog Books. It’s an innovative enterprise. Here is their Twitter description: Itinerant Indigenous bookseller perched atop Burnaby Mtn. selling new & used books. #bookmobile#booktruck Hours: Tues & Thurs 9am-6pm @ Cornerstone Town Square (Simon Fraser University)Â
Hilary told me that Saturdays this summer, they will be parked at the Port Moody Museum beside Rocky Point Park. It’s a small intimate space, so she’s choosy about her stock. Their mission is to bring books to places that don’t have used book stores. So, come by and browse for some great finds on her shelves. You never know who you might run into. And if the temperature ever starts to rise, there are four craft breweries right across the street, home-crafted ice cream in the park, and a funky new shuttle bus coming in July that will  link Inlet Centre, Rocky Point Park and Moody Centre.
Port Moody, you rock!
This book was one of my favourites when I was a little girl. I never forgot it. My mother used to read it to me before I could read it myself. Published in London, in 1956, it is a hardcover rife with sketches on newsprint-like paper, but has this wonderful colour image of Fairy Fluster upsetting a bus full of people with one of her mixed-up spells. I was able to find a copy on abebooks.com
I find that the things that inspired us in childhood rarely change as we grow older; sometimes we just forget what they are. And sometimes, we “put away childish things” when really, we should keep them close to our heart. They are the essence of our bliss.
There was once a fairy whose name was Fluster. She was a very kind-hearted little fairy, but she could never remember how to do her spells. Just as some of us can’t do sums or read long words, so Fluster couldn’t learn her spells properly. Whenever she forgot a spell, she would get in a dreadful fluster trying to remember it. And that was how she came to be called Fairy Fluster.
All the other fairies in Fairyland were very fond of Fluster. She was such a kind little fairy, and always ready to help anyone or to do them a good turn. But, to tell the truth, the other fairies always hoped that Fluster wouldn’t try to do them good turns, because she often turned her friends into hedgehogs or tadpoles, when she really only meant to give them a new pair of magic slippers because their old ones were worn out.
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