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Category: Art & Photography
Instant Love Book Trailer
by Danielle
Art & Photography / May 16, 2012
Instant Love
How to Make Magic and Memories with Polaroids
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film photography polaroid
Michael Cho at Type Books May 23rd
by Dan
Art & Photography + Events + Graphica / May 10, 2012
Toronto-based illustrator and hometown hero Michael Cho will be signing copies of his new book Back Alleys and Urban Landscapes 6pm–8pm on May 23rd at Type Books on Queen Street West near Trinity Bellwoods Park. TYPE will also be featuring a gallery show of selected work from the book.
Michael began creating drawings of the back alleys near his Toronto home in 2008. Collected together in this book, the work speaks to the beauty of the urban landscape: sometimes gritty and citified, sometimes unexpectedly pastoral, but always beautifully rendered. Michael is a brilliant draftsman, and Back Alleys shines with loving attention to detail – from expletive-filled graffiti splayed across backyard fences to the graceful twists of power lines over a bend in the road.
Last weekend, Michael joined a host of other super-talented cartoonists – including Kate Beaton, Guy Delisle and Tom Gauld to name a few – signing books at the Toronto Comics Arts Festival at the Toronto Reference Library. Unsurprisingly (in retrospect!) Backalleys was in big demand and we sold out of the book in no time at all, so make sure you come by early on the 23rd if you are want to get your hands on a copy!
Michael Cho
Back Alleys and Urban Landscapes
Book signing featuring a gallery show of selected work
@ TYPE Books
883 Queen Street West, Toronto
May 23rd, 6pm - 8pm
Typebooks.ca
My favourite books of 2011: Danielle (Publicity)
by Danielle
Animals & Nature + Art & Photography + Food & Drink + Humour + Sports / December 22, 2011
When I was asked to list my top books for this season I was at a loss. Working at Raincoast for all these years the seasons seem to mesh together so I thought to let you in on some books that mirror who I am and what I'm about...
My Last Supper by Melanie Dunea. It's a truly awesome coffee table book filled with not only beautiful photographs of some 50 top chefs but includes their recipes as well. Truly, it's a gem. When I blogged about this book this season I had let readers know what my last supper would be.
"I'd like to eat steak, good steak. Ones we bought from the market. Baked potatoes with all .jpg)
the fixings and a yummy beet salad. And chicken wings from grain fed chicken too (hot of course)." You can see by the pic this is exactly what I love to eat when we're camping in the Okanagan so if I would have to choose this would be my 'last supper' as well.
I was lucky enough to attend quite a few hockey games this past year. We were able to go to the Western Conference 
finals where the Canucks beat ou
t the Sharks. We had a blast. When Portable Press decided to update their Uncle Johns Shoots and Scores, with 70 all new pages I might add, I was quick to take a flip. I'm a bit of a poser when it comes to the game so by reading up I can hang with the boys and show off with som fun hockey facts and stats. 
When the sun is shining and 
I'm in need of getting fresh air what better way to get out and about than riding around town. In my house we love to ride so Cyclepedia made my list. A book for any bike enthusiast.
If you know me, I'm a bit of a cat person. So this is why Meow made it on my list. This book's full of pictures of these adorable creatures with cute ca
ptions. Easy. Oh this is Dash -
My Favourite Books of 2011: Siobhan (Marketing)
by Siobhan
Art & Photography + Craft + Food & Drink + Gift & Stationery / December 20, 2011
Yesterday Dan talked about his favourite book of 2011. I can't quite narrow it down to ONE, so instead I've picked one favourite book for each day of the week... plus a little something extra for Sunday. This is essentially my ideal week, in book format.
Monday. We all know what Mondays are like. The day you need a hit of inspiration. And a cup of coffee. This book will give you a double shot of the former (sorry, you'll have you grab your own latte.) Paper Cutting: Contemporary Artists, Timeless Craft is totally gorgeous and full of amazing work by talented artists working with paper.
Tuesday is when you really start to wake up for the week. And you'll need your wits about you when you grab your scissors and a fresh sheet of paper, then fold, pleat and crumple your way to creating the incredible shapes in Folding Techniques for Designers: From Sheet to Form.
(P.S. If you're into paper folding, you'll love this documentary I recently saw on the Knowledge Network, Between the Folds.)
Wednesday is a funny day. Come on, hump day. Time for the brilliance and hilarity that is Hark! A Vagrant. If you don't already know Kate Beaton from her website, trust me, your life will be better once you do.
By Thursday, your work week is in full swing, and you can take on anything. You can even build a toaster... from scratch! As in, hey, let's dig up some precious metals out of the ground with my own two hands and make some wire, then figure out how to make plastic... Or at least you can read about a guy who really did this in The Toaster Project: Or a heroic attempt to build a simple electric appliance from scratch.
Friday is when you start to wind down, dream about the weekend that's oh-so-close.... a dream which involves owning a big old house in the country with chickens running around the yard, and your husband making you breakfast in bed, with poached eggs laid by your very own chickens. (Reality: let's just go out for brunch downtown.) Chicken and Egg: A Memoir of Suburban Homesteading with 125 Recipes is full of lovely design and photos, stories about keeping chickens, and recipes for both cooking up eggs ... and chickens (sorry, chickens!)
A Saturday behind the pottery wheel is a good, good day. If you don't have clay or a kiln on hand, check out The Ceramics Bible: The Complete Guide to Materials and Techniques.
Sunday is a perfect treat. Much like Miette: Recipes from San Francisco's Most Charming Pastry Shop. These are some of the cutest, most perfect looking cakes you'll ever see (and maybe even bake). The book's pages are also scalloped for an added dose of cuteness.
And last but not least, for a litttle extra on Sunday (cause you know everyone wants to extend the weekend just a little bit more), I'm also going to include my favourite non-book item from 2011. I am admittedly biased here, but hey, this is my list. Shoegazing Notecards were put together by the gorgeous and always inspiring UPPERCASE magazine, based on a photo story they did in their magazine: UPPERCASE asked readers to send in photos of their feet. I was lucky enough to have a couple of photos in the spread... and now UPPERCASE partnered with Chronicle to put 20 of those photos onto notecards. Mine's the one on the red carpet with all the brightly coloured shoes. A friend of mine also has her feet on one of the notecards, wearing her roller derby skates. Here's the spread from the magazine - the notecards are also super cute and designed with classic UPPERCASE style.
So, that's my week in books for 2011. Looking forward to 2012!
Intern Insights: Writing & Moustaches in November
by Janet
Art & Photography + Gift & Stationery + Vancouver / November 03, 2011
It's NOVEMBER! You know what that means: stores are breaking out the Christmas specials, Starbucks has their Candy Cane lattes and men grow 
their moustaches for a good cause (Movember).
It also is, in the literary and online world, National Novel Writing Month! NaNoWriMo is "30 days of literary abandon" and what better way to get started on your next novel than with a Moleskine and NaNoWriMo's own “Ready, Set, Novel!” (Chronicle Books)?
The spirit of writing a novel in a month isn't to churn out the next bestseller or Nobel prize winner, it's to connect online with fellow word-lovers and to find your creative self. Write with abandon for the next thirty days and you may be surprised at what turns up.
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"Ready, Set, Novel!" is a great writing workbook. Whether you're a first time novelist or seasoned writer, it has a lot of great prompts and exercises to get your brain thinking about the world you're about to create.
My book is slowly filling up, it's one of two writing tools I always carry around. The other is my Reporter Moleskine.
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Here are some great resources and tips to get you started on your masterpiece:
- The Snowflake Method - starting a novel and staring at a blank page can be daunting but with the Snowflake Method you can start with the big picture and work your way into the details.
- Creative Writing Exercises - some great prompts by Penn State University's creative writing course
- Nine Steps to a Novel - Author Garth Nix's 9 Steps
- Craft of Writing - Science Fiction Writers of America's blogs with many writing tips and strategies
"There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down in front of a typewriter and bleed." —Ernest Hemingway
Bone-Chilling Books to Put You in the Halloween Spirit
by Siobhan
Art & Photography + Fiction + Humour / October 13, 2011
It's time to put all the warmth and coziness of Thanksgiving behind us, and embrace the cold, dark... Hallowen is just around the corner.
Here are few books to get you into the Halloween spirit ... and awaken the spirits... Mmwhahaha!
Plain Fear: Forsaken
by Leanna Ellis
Sourcebooks
A vampire novel set in an Amish community, Plain Fear: Forsaken is a haunting and heartbreaking story. When passions stir and secrets are revealed, Hannah must choose between light and dark, between the one she has always loved and the new possibility of love. But it's more than a choice of passion; it's a decision that will determine the fate of her soul.
"Forsaken exemplifies the ultimate literary juxtaposition of good and evil, and is made all the more powerful by Ellis's ability to paint a vivid and realistic picture Amish life."
—Linda Castillo, New York Times bestselling author
Dead of Night: A Zombie Novel
by Jonathan Maberry
St. Martin's Press
New York Times bestselling author of Patient Zero, Jonathan Maberry returns with another creepy tale... A prison doctor injects a condemned serial killer with a formula designed to keep his consciousness awake while his body rots in the grave. But all drugs have unforeseen side-effects. Before he could be buried, the killer wakes up. Hungry. Infected. Contagious. This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang... but a bite.
Read an excerpt from the novel online.
"An intriguingly fresh slant on the zombie genre."
—John A. Russo
The Monster's Corner: Stories Through Inhuman Eyes
Edited by Christopher Golden
St. Martin's Griffin
An all original anthology from some of todays hottest supernatural writers, featuring stories of monster's from the monster's point of view. With contributions by Lauren Groff, Chelsea Cain, Simon R. Green, Sharyn McCrumb, Kelley Armstrong, David Liss, Kevin J. Anderson, Jonathan Maberry, and many others.
Read a Q&A with some of the contributors on ForcesOfGeek.com
Dead Inside: Do Not Enter
Notes from the Zombie Apocalypse
A Lost Zombies Book
Post Secret meets World War Z in this chilling vision of the fallout following a global zombie pandemic. A gradual mutation of a virulent strain of "super flu" gives rise to millions of the undead, who quickly overwhelm treatment facilities and swarm cities around the world, leaving survivors on their own against a legion of the infected. This chilling story is told through the scraps of paper, scrawled signs, and cryptic markers left by survivors as they struggle to stay alive and find those they've lost in a world overrun by zombies...
The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor
by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga
Thomas Dunne Books
Also available as an audiobook
Following in the footsteps of the New York Times bestselling graphic novels and the record-breaking new TV show, this debut novel in a trilogy of original Walking Dead books chronicles the back story of the comic book series greatest villain, The Governor.
Listed to a preview of the audio edition online.
"The Walking Dead: The Rise of the Governor is a book that's meant for both fans of the comics and fans of the show… Kirkman's mark is all over the book. It takes great advantage of the literary medium in a way that most tie-in books would not.” —TVOvermind.com
Chasing Ghosts, Texas Style
On the Road with Everyday Paranormal
by Brad Klinge, Barry Klinge and Kathy Passero
Thomas Dunne Books
Part high-adventure tale, part autobiography, this page-turner recounts the eerie experiences that convinced brothers Brad and Barry Klinge, founders of Everyday Paranormal and stars of the TV series Ghost Lab on Discovery Channel, that ghosts really do walk among us Brad and Barry Klinge have been investigating paranormal occurrences for the last twenty years, and in Chasing Ghosts, Texas Style , they divulge some of their most exciting ghost encounters and analyze the science behind their paranormal hunts.
"In this enjoyable read, sure to entertain even skeptics, the Klinge brothers recount how they first became interested in ghosts, what led them to start their company, and why they decided to make scientific experimentation the hallmark of their practice." —Publishers Weekly
Here's a clip of the brothers' typical antics on the show:
And now that your jaw is clenched and your fingernails are firmly embedded in your chair... I'll finish this list with a few books that are slightly less terrifying...
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Ace Your Zombie Exam!
The Official Ph.Z. Study Guide
by David Murphy
Sourcebooks
The #1 way to get your official PhZ diploma!
Humans, Zombies, we're not that different. We're all hungry for a better life or post-life. That's why the living and living dead alike are turning more frequently to education in order to improve their station, pursuing the highly coveted PhZ. No enrollment necessary — you need only this book and that high-performance noggin of yours.
Day of the Dead
by Kitty Williams and Stevie Mack
Gibbs Smith
The Day of the Dead Celebration is the most important holiday of the year in Mexico and parts of the American Southwest, a joyful time when families remember their dead. Day of the Dead provides a colorful look at the iconic folk art and family traditions that play a vital role in the event, which happens across the country from October 31 through November 2.
The Book of Skulls
by Faye Dowling
Laurence King
The Book of Skulls presents a cool visual guide to the skull, charting its rebirth through music and street fashion to become today's ultimate anti-establishment icon. From Black Sabbath to Cypress Hill, skater punk graffiti to Gothic tattoos, from high-couture to Hello Kitty and Dali to Damien Hirst, this book is the ultimate collection of cool and iconic skull motifs. Drawing together artwork from music, fashion, street art and graphic design The Book of Skulls is a celebration of one of today's most iconic cultural symbols.
Happy 20th birthday Laurence King!
by Danielle
Architecture + Art & Photography + Design & Typography + Film + Reference / August 12, 2011
Well Laurence King the publishing house, not Laurence King the founder himself (I think he's older than 20).
Established in London in 1991, Laurence King Publishing is now recognized as one of the world's leading publishers of books on the creative arts.
Their books are acclaimed for their beautiful design and authoritative text as well as the quality and care taken over their production. They publish books in the fields of art, graphic design, architecture and fashion; just to name a few.
Mark Lamster of Design Observer took up the chance to interview Laurence to hear his thoughts about the state and future of design publishing, and what makes a design book (and book proposal) successful.
...Even with this distinguished catalog, few Americans are likely to know much about King or his press, as until recently most of his titles were sold in this country by other publishers, who purchased their rights. I got to know him this way, both as a buyer and a seller, when I was an editor at Princeton Architectural Press. We worked on many books together — some winners, some losers — and it was always a pleasure. King is one of the true gentlemen of design publishing, self-deprecating and charming in the classic British manner... ~ Mark Lamster
Full article can be found here.
This Fall LK has some pretty amazing new books that I get to publicize (yep I do!). Please pre-order at Amazon.ca, Indigo. ca or take a walk to your local bookshop, they can order a copy for you. Below are just a few. There's planty more to come! I'll keep you posted!
And what's a blog without some cool Laurence King videos? Enjoy!
How did you take that picture??
by Danielle
Art & Photography / July 22, 2011
Did you know that you can make a camera virtually out of anything? Like for example the Quaker tin from your oatmeal, the container your coffee grounds are kept in or even a shoebox? Well you can! Take for example the following...
...who would have thought?? Cool right?
I’ve seen pinhole cameras ranging
in shape and size from a pineapple
to a Volkswagen bus. You’ll be
amazed by how many interesting
things can be turned into a pinhole
camera—so interesting that when
you start to use it in the field, people
will be curious about what you’re
doing. And when you tell them that
you’re creating photos with a coffee
can, they’ll be surprised that’s even
possible.~ Chris Keeney author of Pinhole Cameras: A DIY Guide
This book is a do-it-yourself guide which shows you how to transform basic household containers (lots of them!) into amazing photographic devices. Apparently the images don't turn out so crisp and clear but that's the idea. If you want a sharp image then just use your boring ol'camera. The gallery from the book reminds me of that app Instagram. Love it! So if you're feeling up to the challenge and want to take pictures that aren't that perfect, pick up a copy and try for yourself. And why not send them over to share with us. We'll post them on our blog!
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photography pinhole camera
So there’s this dog…
by Danielle
Art & Photography + Author Q & A / July 08, 2011
You might have heard of this dog named Boo. You know the one. He has 1,338,984 Facebook friends, Khloe Kardasian is a fan and he's even going to be on Good Morning America in August !! So what's up with this dog? I'm not sure but with almost 1.5 million Facebook fans he must be doing something right!
Chronicle has this charming book with exclusive new photographs of Boo doing all of his favorite things: lounging around, playing with friends, exploring the whole wide world, and making those famous puppy-dog eyes. It's not yet available but you can per-order off of Amazon.ca and Indigo.ca but if you would rather, please head on over to your local bookstore in August and pick up a copy!
Boo Facts
What type of dog is Boo?
While some say Boo looks like a Teddy Bear, he is actually a Pomeranian
with a unique hair cut.
How old is Boo?
He is five years old.
Who is Boo's best friend?
"My best pal is Buddy, another Pomeranian who lives with me."
What is Boo's favorite thing to do?
It's a tie between lounging around the house and playing follow the
leader with Buddy. (He is always the leader)
Does Boo think he is a little human or is he happy to be a dog?
"I love being a dog and playing with other dogs, but I also like to get
dressed up and hang out with my human friends."
Does Boo like to travel?
Boo enjoys going on fun trips and has been to New York, Chicago, and
Los Angeles. He jumps right into his carrier without needing to be asked.
Does Boo like music? What type?
He likes all kinds of music, but prefers songs that go light on the drums.
They scare him.
Does Boo have any favorite charities?
He is a fan of Operation Smile. For his 5th birthday his fans raised over
$5,000 for the charity. Boo loves kids and loves smiling, so it's a
perfect fit.
Does Boo get fan mail?
Most fans leave messages for Boo on his Facebook page. He likes to read the messages after dinner.
What is Boo’s favorite TV show?
"It doesn't matter who is playing in the Super Bowl, as long as
the Puppy Bowl is on at halftime."
And here's a pretty adorable video of when he did a tour up to Chronicle. Enjoy!
I'm also doing a giveaway!
Comment below for your chance to win! And you have more than a month to enter! I'll be sending a copy of Boo: The Life of the World's Cutest Dog with a 'pawtograph!!'. Deadline is August 12th. You can comment as many times as you like but your name will be entered only once.
Good luck!
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boo facebook
Power: Portraits of World Leaders
by Danielle
Art & Photography + Current Affairs / June 30, 2011
It is undeniable that the worldwide political landscape has seen a good deal of unrest and historic change this year. Award-winning photographer Platon knows that landscape well. He’s photographed world leaders since the fall of 2009 when nearly all heads of state were in New York for a meeting of the United Nations.
Platon’s photographs, Portraits of Power, appeared in the Dec. 7th issue of the New Yorker that year. Many are of icons of our age, such as his image of Gaddafi, which was featured earlier this year on the cover of Time Magazine.
Power, Platon’s new book with Chronicle, provides a comprehensive historical record of our time. It’s a “yearbook” that captures a truly unique moment.
“If you put all of the pictures together,” says Platon, “you get a sense of the global personality of the power system. It allows us to stand back and to start to analyze what happened, who was in control—that is what this book is about.”
You can hear Platon speak about his experiences photographing this amazing roster of world leaders in the video below.
Power features over 100 stunning portraits along with an introduction by New Yorker editor David Remnick. Here are a few I am sure you’ll recognize.
Barack Obama, President, United States
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President, Iran
Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister, Russia
Tony Blair, Prime Minister, United Kingdom May 1997-June 2007
Robert Mugabe, President, Zimbabwe
Special thanks to Patti Quill for this blog posting!
(Marketing and Publicity for Chronicle Books)
And Platon was interview by the BBC. Please take a look at the video linked here and scroll through to approx. 09.08 (just after the weather report from Wimbledon.)