Books On Beechwood (Ottawa, Canada)

Book launch of Ray Tremblay’s “Riding the Tides of Life”, May 15, 11am to 1pm

Posted: Saturday, May 1st, 2010 | By: Dave

Riding the Tides of Life

Synopsis, copied verbatim from the publisher’s site!

“Greta Ludwig, a 29-year-old Franco-Ontarian and Métis widow, is a successful bookstore owner in Ottawa. Due to the many stressors she encounters in her young life, she experiences a mental breakdown and requires psychiatric hospitalization. Once she is discharged, she is introduced to a psychiatrist who begins to play an important role in her life. To facilitate her recovery, she volunteers at the Shepherds of Good Hope, an organization serving the homeless in Ottawa. Once she regains her self-confidence, she becomes a frontline worker in their men’s shelter but is physically assaulted by one of their residents. Will this incident trigger another manic phase of her underlying illness? Will she be able to return to work with the homeless? Will the support of family, friends, professionals and her unfailing faith in her Creator and Mother Earth be sufficient to give her the strength to cope with life’s future challenges?”

You can follow Raymond’s adventures on his web site: raymondtremblay.blogspot.com

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Matt and the Wonder of Wishes, by Bobby Hawley, Saturday May 8, 1 to 3pm

Posted: Saturday, May 1st, 2010 | By: Dave

Matt and the Wonder of Wishes

From a review on True North Perspectives;

“… Matt and the Wonder of Wishes by Nepean, Ontario author Bobby Hawley.

In this masterfully written book, Queen Zephania is the ruler of the fairy realm and can be found in the forest glade not far from a magnificent landscape of flowers. Should you become one of the chosen, you might even be given a wish. The fairies were attracted to this location by the display of colors and the heavenly scents coming from a beautiful garden right at the forest’s edge.

One night just before dusk a young lad by the name of Matthew spotted a box moving toward the forest glade, and on the side of the box was written an invitation to a wish. He followed the box and there he glimpsed the magical kingdom.

He felt sure he was one of the chosen, so the next day he returned with his young friends Jake, Katie, Danielle, Ana and Max. The Queen granted a wish to each child so that the special dream held in their hearts could be fulfilled.

Bobby Hawley is a retired teacher who loves working with children. She has published two children’s books on bullying since retiring and has frequented many schools, doing readings and discussing the importance of empathy. She has written and published a book of illustrated children’s poems as well as a couple of chapbooks.”

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An evening with Frank Koller, author of “Spark”, Thursday May 6 from 6 to 8pm

Posted: Monday, April 26th, 2010 | By: Dave

SPARK Frank Koller will be at Books on Beechwood, on Thursday the 6th of May from 6 to 8pm, reading from, discussing, and signing copies of his book “Spark: How Old-Fashioned Values Drive a Twenty-First Century Corporation! SPARK is a fascinating glimpse into how capitalism can, and should, work in North America - to protect people as well as profits.

Long time CBC economics reporter and foreign correspondent, Koller tells the story of how one unusual and profitable Fortune 1000 multinational company challenges the conventional wisdom shaping modern management’s view of the workplace by refusing to lay off its workers in tough times.

Norman A. Berg, Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School says in his review:
“Frank Koller has done a remarkable job of presenting both an economic and a moral argument for the value to society of the unusual policies followed with great success by Lincoln Electric for over a hundred years. The book is excellent in both the historical overview and the numerous interviews with current and past employees. There is much that modern management can learn about the benefits to employees, customers, shareholders, and communities by examining the role of the ‘old fashioned’ culture of Lincoln Electric.”

Michael Enright, The Sunday Edition
“A fascinating story.”

Harvard Business Review
“A fascinating depiction of a rare human resource practice in a company with a long and hearty track record—food for thought for the rest of us.”

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Saturday the 20th, 11am to 1pm, “Royal Murder” by Elizabeth MacLeod

Posted: Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 | By: Dave

Written for children in the age range of 10 to 14 years; Elizabeth MacLeod will be here signing and reading from her latest book, “Royal Murder: The deadly intrigue of ten sovereigns.” Danger and drama among the monarchs!

What would you do for absolute power? For many monarchs throughout history, it was a question that ruled their lives. Step into the world of palatial intrigue, where holding the throne means evading death… or causing it.

Some sovereigns were cunning at avoiding their killers. Cleopatra of Egypt once rolled herself into a rug and was carried out past her enemies’ noses. Other royals were brutal when dealing with foes. VIad the Impaler’s monstrous methods inspired the legend of Dracula the vampire.

From monarchs murdered at the hands of their subjects to kings killed on the battlefield, the stories of these ten royals are told:

* Cleopatra of Egypt (69 BCE-30 BCE)
* VIad III the lmpaler of Wallachia (1431-1476)
* Richard III of England (1452-1485)
* “Bloody Mary” 1(1516-1558)
* Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587)
* Elizabeth I (1533-1603)
* Louis XVI (1754-1793)
* Marie Antoinette (1755-1793)
* Elisabeth of Austria (1837- 1898)
* The Romanovs of Russia (1872-1918).

A final section offers examples from the 20th century — from assassination attempts in England to a royal massacre in Nepal.

Blending dramatic storytelling and historical fact, and complete with fascinating photographs and artwork, Royal Murder is a compelling account of scheming sovereigns.

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Lawrence Hill, author of “The Book of Negroes” at the Museum of Civilization: Feb 10th at 7pm

Posted: Monday, February 8th, 2010 | By: Dave

hill-150×185_780_picker_en-ca.jpg Adrian Harewood, from CBC, will be interviewing Lawrence Hill, author of ” The Book of Negroes”, after which Lawrence will be signing copies of his book.

Details of the event can be found on the Museum’s Site

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Feb 13th, from 1 to 3pm, “I Found My Thrill On Parliament Hill”

Posted: Monday, February 8th, 2010 | By: Dave

I Found My Thrill On Parliament Hill Saturday the 13th, from 1 to 3pm, we’ll be hosting a booksigning!

“I Found My Thrill on Parliament Hill” An entertaining look at the storied life of Trudeau era cabinet minister, Bud Cullen, Member of Parliament for Sarnia-Lambton.

“Bud Cullen was a rare politician who never let success inflate his ego. At times funny and sad, serious and light, thoughtful and candid, this memoir holds true to Cullen’s wonderful sense of humour and unflinching honesty of spirit.”
Mayor Mike Bradley, City of Sarnia.

“Bud Cullen had a rare gift for personal relations with both colleagues and critics and was highly respected by Government and Opposition members alike, a quality of significance in that contentious environment. He was known for his amicable temperament and his unfailing willingness to work on the resolution of a task, no matter how unpalatable.
Honourable Donald Macdonald

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Feb 27th, 1 to 3pm, signing and launch of “RusticoRiders Cycle Africa: from Cairo to Cape Town”

Posted: Monday, February 8th, 2010 | By: Dave

RusticoRiders Cycle Africa A four-month cycling trip from tip to tail of Africa – in the company of like-minded individuals, accompanied by a support team – was the perfect way for Beryl and Bernie Doiron to marry their joy of cycling with their love of travel and to escape the Canadian winter.

Departing Cairo with its pyramids, they cycled through ancient Egypt, the deserts of Sudan, the mountains of Ethiopia, the lush rolling hills of Tanzania, Malawi, and Zambia, the beautiful terrain of Botswana and Namibia and along the Atlantic Ocean of South Africa to Cape Town: a fifth of the journey on clay, washboard, rock, sand, and dusty roads.

It all made January to May 2008 a memorable summer: 10,000km down roads less travelled, time to interact with some of the world’s poorest people, pitching tents in desert and on bush ground and eating local foods.

Again and again, the authors were struck by the welcoming faces of people with very few of life’s amenities, who appear to live in peace and harmony with their surroundings. In small village and countryside, the people and lifestyle also triggered memories of early childhood, growing up on a family farm and nearby fishing village in Prince Edward Island, Canada.

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Book Signing: “Molly’s Story: Aftermath of War and Love” on Saturday the 12th

Posted: Monday, December 7th, 2009 | By: Dave

Jennifer Cook will be launching her latest book, “Molly’s Story: Aftermath of War and Love” on Saturday the 12th from 11 am to 1pm. “The story of a young mother’s struggle and despair in wartime Britain when her RAF husband is missing-in-action. Based on the author’s memories, and her brother’s letters home from the RAF.

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December 13th: Book Signing by Mary Jane Maffini and Barbara Fradkin

Posted: Monday, December 7th, 2009 | By: Dave

Law and Disorder This Thing of Darkness

Mary Jane Maffini and Barbara Fradkin, will be here Sunday the 13th from 2 to 4pm to sign copies of their latest mystery titles. “Law and Disorder” by Mary Jane Maffini, is the sixth book in the series featuring Ottawa sleuth Camilla MacPhee. “This Thing of Darkness” by Barbara Fradkin, the latest in her Inspector Green series, also set in Ottawa.

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Saturday Storytime with Kita Szpak and her new book, “You’re Special Wherever You Are”

Posted: Thursday, November 26th, 2009 | By: Dave

For storytime, at 9:30 am on Saturday the 28th, Kita Szpak will be reading from her new book, “You’re Special Wherever You Are”.

From her website:

“No one can believe that Catalina would keep an old, dirty carpet she got from her very old grandmother. Charlie Zee would rather be anything else than black and white. And Alex has the biggest surprise of all when he opens his mouth to breathe fire… These are three stories about a camel, a zebra and a dragon who are all a little different. They show us how important it is to be yourself no matter what the situation may be. You’re Special Wherever You Are is a book both children and adults will enjoy time after time.”

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BOOKS ON BEECHWOOD

What's Happening

Book launch of Ray Tremblay’s “Riding the Tides of Life”, May 15, 11am to 1pm

Matt and the Wonder of Wishes, by Bobby Hawley, Saturday May 8, 1 to 3pm

An evening with Frank Koller, author of “Spark”, Thursday May 6 from 6 to 8pm

Saturday the 20th, 11am to 1pm, “Royal Murder” by Elizabeth MacLeod

Lawrence Hill, author of “The Book of Negroes” at the Museum of Civilization: Feb 10th at 7pm

Feb 13th, from 1 to 3pm, “I Found My Thrill On Parliament Hill”

Feb 27th, 1 to 3pm, signing and launch of “RusticoRiders Cycle Africa: from Cairo to Cape Town”

Book Signing: “Molly’s Story: Aftermath of War and Love” on Saturday the 12th

December 13th: Book Signing by Mary Jane Maffini and Barbara Fradkin

Saturday Storytime with Kita Szpak and her new book, “You’re Special Wherever You Are”