Established in 1945, The People's Co-op Bookstore is not only the oldest bookseller in Vancouver but it's also one of our remaining independents. As the publishing industry evolves and institutions like Duthies and Sophia Books have closed their doors in recent years, this co-op on Commercial Drive has somehow continued to be a stronghold. Perhaps it's all in a name; the "co-op" part is in there because they're a true co-op business, owned and supported by their members.
TPCB's new logo for 2011, designed by Pete Tuepah
The store recently renovated, expanded their shelf space and extended their hours on Sunday evenings so our good friend, author and comedian Charlie Demers, who serves on their board of directors, sent us an invitation to their open house. It's a public event and I'd be denying you something truly awesome if I didn't share it and encourage you to go. The long and the short of it is that they're bringing in a gangload of local authors to hang out, chat and sign books in their space. For free. What this means for you is that, yes, you get to see what they've done with the place and drink egg nog but you can also buy a gift for a loved one and take it to the next level by having it signed by the author, therefore making you a champion.
By "a gangload" of local authors, I meant "more than 25". Here's the list as we received it this morning, there are more confirming their attendance daily:
George Bowering, George Stanley, David Chariandy, Nikki Reimer, Kaitlin Fontana, Garry Thomas Morse, Elizabeth Bachinsky, Dennis Bolen, Aaron Peck, Cathleen With, Daniel Gawthrop, Ivan Coyote, Chris Gatchalian, Ian Weir, Jacqueline Turner, Gillian Jerome, Brad Cran, Hiromi Goto, Timothy Taylor, Aaron Peck, JJ Lee, Sarah Leavitt, Kevin Chong, Charles Demers, Derrick O'Keefe, Peter Darbyshire, Rita Wong.
We asked Demers to share some words about a few of our favourites who will be there on Sunday, to familiarize you with them and give a little more insight. Here's what he had to say...
George Bowering
At a reading earlier this year, Kaitlin Fontana referred to Governor General’s award-winning, Order of Canada officer, first Poet Laureate of Canada, Order of BC recipient, poet-novelist-historian-essayist-trickster George Bowering as a “silver fox.” Nobody objected. In my experience, George is a terrible bowler, and not particularly dignified a crowd member at baseball games, but there’s nobody better when it comes to writing in this country. And he’s prolific: just this fall, he put out his 100th book. And who doesn’t want to party with someone who puts out?
Dennis Bolen
Every now and then I come across a book that I’m embarrassed that I hadn’t read before I wrote Vancouver Special; the fact that there’s no mention of it in my book about the city stands out as a glaring omission. Dennis’s Stupid Crimes is at the top of that list. In a city that only wants to talk about its big-time winners, Dennis chronicles the losers. And he’s funny while he does it, and he’s empathetic while he does it, and his latest book, Anticipated Results, is outstanding.
Ivan Coyote
Ivan’s stories and storytelling are like written and oral equivalents of the East Van Cross: ballsy, emblematic and incredibly close to the heart of the neighbourhood. Of course, we share Ivan with the rest of the country, which she tours like a modern day E. Pauline Johnson, thrilling audiences and readers alike. But she’ll be there Sunday, avoiding all the cookies that have wheat in them.
David Chariandy
There are many things you get from David’s incredibly affecting, heartrending, GG-finalist novel Soucouyant -- but one thing you don’t get is how handsome he is. It’s legendary. So if I were you, I’d come by the store so I could meet him in person.
George Stanley
George’s Vancouver: a Poem, is probably the best thing anyone has ever written about our city. And I say this as someone who has also written something about our city. So you see, I’m taking myself out of the running. And if you know me, you know what a big deal that is, because I’m insufferably egomaniacal and self-centered. Even this write-up, which is supposed to be about George, is about me. So that’s how good Vancouver: a Poem is.
The People's Co-op Bookstore is located at 1391 Commercial Drive.
The open house is from 5PM-10PM this Sunday, December 18th.
Facebook event page HERE.
