The editors of Books@Torontoist know we’re not supposed to play favourites when it comes to Toronto-based presses, but it’s hard to not love Coach House Books. From their uTOpia book series to their Stroll City project, this is a publishing house that loves Toronto almost as much as we do. Besides, they know how to throw a really good party. And who doesn’t love a good party?
So when their tireless publicist Evan Munday sent us this list of 10 reasons why we should attend their shindig on Thursday, we knew we had to share it with you (full event details below).
10) The Utne Reader has singled out Coach House poet Gary Barwin: “Between the freaky, funny filmmaker Guy Maddin and author Gary Barwin, Canada is producing some of the most innovative creative works of our time.” You like innovative, creative things, right? You should hear him read from The Porcupinity of the Stars.
9) Like Bryan Adams, you too can relive the “Summer of ’69″ (even if, also like Bryan Adams, you were too young to experience it the first go-round) with Dorothy Ellen Palmer’s haunting yet hilarious coming-of-age novel, When Fenelon Falls.
8 ) Admission is free. We won’t even pass a hat around (though there may be some peer pressure to buy one of the books).
7) You can witness author Jonathan Ball read from his macabre collection of impossible plays, Clockfire, on recorded video! Totally not live! It will be just like when actors are filming on location and, so, can’t accept that very thoughtful Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Drama.
6) Not only can you pick up copies of the books at discount prices, you can also get them signed by the authors! Or, if you’d prefer, have them sign your eReader!
5) It’s an easy way to demonstrate to the mayoral candidates just how many people in Toronto support the arts.
4) Green Day drummer Tre Cool has been known to throw his drumsticks into the crowd. Author Jon Paul Fiorentino has been known to do the same with his books following his readings. Let’s hope he doesn’t disappoint with Indexical Elegies, his latest poetry collection. (It’s like catching a bouquet at a wedding. Whoever catches the book is the next person to be published.)
3) Gail Scott’s highly anticipated novel, The Obituary (launching that night), features a narrator whose voice is splintered into three: a politically correct historian, a woman on a bus (or sometimes in bed), and a *lascivious fly*! Haven’t you always wanted to hear the thoughts of a dirty-minded fly?
2) There is no longer such a thing as “Must-See TV” on Thursday nights, so you won’t be missing anything. But rumour has it that one Matthew Perry is a big fan of Gail Scott, so perhaps we’ll see an appearance by Chandler Bing
And finally…
1) Hang out with people for whom talking about kerning = major turn on.
On Thursday, October 14th, Coach House will be hosting their annual Fall Launch at Revival (783 College Street). Five authors get five minutes each to wow the crowd with their literary prowess. This year’s line-up includes Jonathan Ball’s Clockfire, Gary Barwin’s The Porcupinity of the Stars, Jon Paul Fiorentino’s Indexical Elegies, Dorothy Ellen Palmer’s When Fenelon Falls, and Gail Scott’s The Obituary.
We’ll be there. Come say hi.
