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Although I hadn’t yet learned about saying no to the patriarchy, I was too shy and awkward to be a princess, and I ditched the plan of becoming one altogether when I read LM Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. I read the Anne books so many times that I felt as at home in turn-of-the-century Prince Edward Island as in 1980s suburban north London.
Samantha Ellis/The Guardian/Observer

Writing lyrics is a very different skill to writing effective poems, and the two disciplines rarely coincide. With this in mind, here’s a look at the best and the worst of musicians in poetry – starting with five whose work really should have stayed in their notebooks.
Tom Hawking/Flavorwire

Adjusting for inflation, consumer purchases of magazines decreased by 22 per cent between 2001 and 2008, according to the study, dropping from $801-million to $623-million. The report, prepared by Hill Strategies Research of Hamilton for the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and Canadian Heritage, is based on a survey conducted by Statistics Canada of the expenditures of almost 10,000 households.
Jane Adams/The Globe and Mail

In was Martin Heidegger who said “In the time of the world’s night, the poet utters the holy.” Indeed. But, who are those writers we tend to gravitate toward? Who embodies “greatness?”
Dean Rader/SF Gate

Time for a reality check. We’ve got a Tory government. The economy is broken. Spike Milligan is still dead. We’re one year closer to the day our sun explodes. Banging on about how much you enjoyed Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom isn’t going to cheer anyone up or change anything. Except maybe making them worry about how much closer they’re going to be to death by the time they’ve waded through its 600-odd pages.
Sam Jordison/The Guardian

From samurais to dysfunctional relationships, this year’s best book list includes serious reads and fun times, too. (Including two Goose Lane Books, of course -ed.)
Sue Carter Flinn, Shannon Fay and Sean Flinn/The Coast

Harry Potter, Harriet the Spy, Clary Fray, Nancy Drew, the Pevensie kids from the Chronicles of Narnia, Anne Shirley and Elena Gilbert of The Vampire Diaries were faster, higher, stronger (and probably fought dirtier) than their contenders. These (un)lucky souls get to continue the battle of their lives in the remaining head-to-head rounds.
Erin Balser/CBC Books

Apart from a few awkward adolescents who aren’t sure if they should be trick-or-treating or trying to get drunk for the first time, everyone sweats over their Halloween costume. It’s a great ritual, allowing us to act and dress up like someone else for a night.
Jesse Skinner/Toro

The Top 100 Canadian Singles has had its second official launch event, this time in Vancouver. Zulu Records was the site, and how appropriate. Zulu has been active in the Vancouver music scene since the 70’s, and is the spiritual home of the indie/alternative/punk scene in that city. Its roots go deep, with such bands as Payolas, DOA, Slow, and Pointed Sticks.

Appropriation, you’ve done it again! So if you’re still struggling to describe your fall poetry titles you’re in luck. Here’s a list of words you can add to your copy, mixing it up with tired old ones like “daring debut” or “fresh new voice” or “startling arrival” or “experimental” or “innovative.”
via OpenBookToronto