The Book Broads

I do not have the end of summer blues. Well, OK, maybe a aqua blue, but not a blue-blue. I will miss the kids when they head back to school. I will miss the on-the-go adventures that came over us in the afternoons. Heading to rivers, lakes, oceans and seeing friends.

Fall has it’s own rhythm and I enjoy it too. Lots of new projects coming up…. Word on the Street is around the corner and the new fall books get released. Heaven right there.

This summer I met a Nanaimo poet, named Kamal Parmar. I really enjoyed her words. She writes about her love of BC, The Prairies and her home of India. I liked how she had found all of her and put it into words. I am pleased that she did not stick to only Indian poems or poems of the Prairies and BC. I think the variety defines her. It is who she is and what she loves. That was very appealing to me and it was a joy to read her work.

I did a video interview with Kamal. We learn a lot about her past, how she started writing and more. I hope you enjoy it and the poem she reads. All about the end of summer.

Thanks – and keep reading,

Kim

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Kim Here… I had the great pleasure of taking my kidlets to Bookfest in Nanaimo. I love this event. Run by volunteers and lovers of books, this year celebrated 25 years. Party time happened on May 7 in Downtown Nanaimo. So many great venues and everyone was helpful and supportive. My kids and have the best time.

This year we had the pleasure to hear some fantastic authors speak about writing, books, illustrations and more. Sheree Fitch, Linda Bailey, Robert Heidbreder, Marie Louise Gay, Eugenie Fernandes, Robin Muller, Andrea Spalding, Arthur Slade, and John Wilson all took part this year.

I love all the authors – my kids loves the whole thing too. The Kerplunks played at noon hour and that was very fun… if a little wet. I wish the weather would work better for outside events. Books and rain, precarious.

One of the highlights is connecting with Sheree Fitch after many years. I took her out and about for a media day over 14 years ago, and it was a great day. She remembered it too. She is such a lovely woman… and a gifted writer for kids, teens and adults.

Here is a video chat we had this past Saturday. Sheree Fitch ROCKS!

Thanks for reading!

Kim

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(Kim here) I know Angela will not write it here. She does not want to be braggy or anything – but I can do it! Angela’s new book is out!  The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Creating A Social Network (written by Angela Crocker is available from these fine retailers and your local bookseller: (ISBN 978-1-61564-060-7)).

Here is a picture of her and her new book – she looks like a proud mama, huh?

A cute couple - Angela and her book.

Angela and her new book have been seen out in public lately. It’s an official author/book relationship that is now up front for the public to see. Check out Angela and the book on Global TV.  Angela on Global TV – March 13th, 2011

On Tuesday, March 15th at 11:30 am PAC, Angela is on with Bill Good on CKNW. Sweet. Listen live, and call in if you have a question. 980 am on the radio dial, or listen live on line at www.cknw.com.

As you can tell, I am so pleased and proud for my friend. I want to celebrate all the successes of her new book and I hope you can join me in cheering her on!

Thanks!

Kim

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(Kim here) Today, I had the great pleasure to hear Sir Ken Robinson speak at a conference in Nanaimo, BC. The tickets were HARD to get. Sold out and it was like a mosh pit with people rushing to find the best seat. I am a keener and was there early and got a fantastic seat. I had seen Sir Ken Robinson talk on TED.com and I knew I could not miss his insight, his humour and his passion in person! I was not disappointed, nor were close to 800 others. (Another treat for the day, we also got to hear Shane Koyczan perform some of his poetry. I wept – he is so good).

I also had a chance to have a quick chat with Sir Ken Robinson when he was signing his books – The Element and Out of Our Minds:Learning to be Creative. I had heard that Out of Our Minds:Learning to be Creative was going to be revised and asked him about it. Check out http://sirkenrobinson.com/skr/read for more info on the books. Here is the video. I was more wrapped up on hearing him, that my questions cannot be heard, sorry!

I was giddy to have met him and to actually have talked to him – well, this is a day for me to treasure. I am so pleased he is getting people to honour creativity – music, dance, art and WRITING!

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In honour of Earth Day, we are talking gardening.  Grace, aged 8, is one of our Little Book Broads and she talks a bit about gardening. Recently as part of a Brownie unit she got to enjoy planting her own sunflowers with the help of the Budding Gardener kit (www.forkids.ca/TheBuddingGardener). That got us thinking about container gardening and thought we should also talk about a recent book from New Society Publishers (www.newsociety.com) called From Container to Kitchen. Nothing like getting the kidlets interested in gardening. Here’s Grace telling us her thoughts.

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(Kim here) had the great pleasure to chat with Thora Howell. Thora is one of the people who is part of Nanaimo’s Bookfest. This great, fun kid’s book festival happens on May 1st. Check out www.bookfest.ca.

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The Book Broads love to work… and we love to play… and we love to eat. We decided to combine the three with a visit to Little Qualicum Cheeseworks on Vancouver Island.  Peggy and I were able to get our kidlets together, eat cheese and talk about Anne Lindsay’s new compilation cookbook, Lighthearted at Home. Over 500 recipes. Yum!

I have personally cooked three of the recipes – and tried a couple more when I met Anne last week  (That video will be available Friday). As we were at a farm that features cheese (and fruit wine) we thought we would give you a tasty recipe from Anne’s book where cheese is a main ingredient – Smoked Salmon Spread with Capers.

Here is the video featuring the lovely and talented, Peggy Richardson, talking about the new cookbook, cheese and of course, wine. Below that is the recipe. Enjoy and eat cheese… well, except if you are lactose intolerant.

Smoked Salmon Spread with Capers recipe from Lighthearted at Home by Anne Lindsay. Published by John Wiley and Sons and in support of Heart & Stroke Foundation.

(recipe on pg 9 of the book)

Sometime you can use lox, cold smoked salmon or hot smoked salmon in this spread. I usually use a hot smoked salmon when I am in British Columbia, where it is readily available. I use at least 4 oz (125 g) of the hot smoked salmon (sold in chunks), cut into pieces or 2 oz of lox. Sometimes I use hot pepper sauce instead of horseradish, and I add extra dill to taste.

1 cup     light ricotta or light cream cheese

2 oz        smoked salmon, chopped (about 1/3 cup/75 ml)

2 tbsp    chopped fresh dill

2 tbsp     drained capers

2 tsp         fresh lemon juice

2 tsp          ketchup

1 tsp           prepared horseradish

1/4 tsp      salt and freshly ground pepper

In blender or food processor, puree ricotta cheese until smooth. Add smoked salmon, dill, capers, lemon juice, ketchup and horseradish; using on/off motion; process until lightly mixed. Season with salt and pepper.

Makes 1 1/3 cups (325 mil)

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Check out this great interview we did back in September at Word on the Street at the Vancouver downtown library.

Yarn Bombers, UNITE!

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Alastair’s Sweeny’s book – Blackberry Planet - is the first corporate history of the smartphone giant as well as an exploration of the cultural phenomenon created by this PDA.  Angela Crocker talked with Alastair on October 14 in Vancouver BC, where they were joined by an unexpected guest!

You can read more about the book here and even contribute to the web page.

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After a full day of media appearances in Vancouver BC, Angela Crocker had a bit of time to chat with author Peter H. Thomas about his book Be Great.  Read more about Peter’s LifePilot programs for positive personal change.

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