One Book, One Kootenay shortlist author at the Rossland Library on June 4th
By Contributor
Deryn Collier, author of the 2013 One Book One Kootenay shortlisted Confined Space, will be reading at the Rossland Public Library, Tuesday, June 4th at 7:00pm. On a recent blog post by Confined Space author Deryn Collier, she describes some of the encounters she’s been having since her One Book, One Kootenay shortlisted novel was published.
In the Smart Food popcorn aisle on a recent trip to Safeway:
Reader:Go home.
Deryn: What? Sorry? Are you talking to me?
Reader: Yes! I’m talking to you. Aren’t you supposed to be writing?
Deryn: Um. Just needed a snack.
Reader: And I need to know what happens to Bern. I really think you should be writing. Go home. Right now.
Coroner Bern Fortin, protagonist in Confined Space, has that effect on a lot of readers. To find out why—as well as why Collier’s book was chosen by a panel of learned librarians as one of three shortlisted books for 2013’s One Book, One Kootenay recognition—mystery-lovers and others should come to a reading by Collier at the Rossland Public Library on Tuesday, June 4th at 7:00 pm.
You could also read the book, and in fact the Kootenay Library Federation encourages Kootenay booklovers to read all three shortlisted books, and vote. Also shortlisted is The Dolphin’s Tooth: a Decade in Search of Adventure by Kimberley author Bruce Kirkby, and Never Going Back by Nelson author Antonia Banyard. All books are available at libraries throughout the Kootenays. As the shortlist authors tour select libraries in the Kootenays, the feature reader is joined by co-shortlist authors via video.
Collier’s novel Confined Space introduces small-town coroner Bern Fortin as he investigates a murder in a brewery. Author Deryn Collier worked for a time at Columbia Brewery in Creston before settling in Nelson. Confined Space was shortlisted for the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Unpublished First Crime Novel; now, it’s shortlisted for another Arthur, this one for Best First Crime Novel, in addition to OBOK.
The two other shortlisted authors have great stories to tell as well: The Dolphin’s Tooth (McLelland & Stewart) follows author Bruce Kirkby through 15 years of high adventure in some of the world’s edgier places. Kirkby is a Globe and Mail columnist and photographer.
Never Going Back (Thistledown Press) brings together a group of high school friends after 10 years of separation as they converge for a friend’s memorial, each of them with their own memories—and secrets—about a decade-old tragedy, skillfully told by Antonia Banyard.
One Book, One Kootenay is a region-wide book club supported by public libraries in the East and West Kootenay, and the Columbia Basin Trust. www.obok.ca is the place to find information about the books and interviews with the authors, as well as upcoming OBOK events at a library near you.
