Books(in140) & Other Things

My interview with Jennifer Aspen of Glee.

I covered the Stand Up Sisters’ The “C” Word show, a fundraiser for Gilda’s Club.

So. All that television and celebrity writing paid off. (Okay, I do it because I love it. This is a bonus). Suzanne Gardner and I are writing about about television. That’s right folks, expect Don’t Stop Believin’: The Unofficial Guide to Glee by Erin Balser and Suzanne Gardner to hit bookshelves in Fall 2010, courtesy of ECW Press.

If I’m nice, I’ll even autograph your copy.

I’m reading Daniel O’Thunder for the National Post’s the Afterword Reading Society. Sounds very gentlepersonly, doesn’t it?

I profiled the lovely foodie and bookish Good Egg for Torontoist.

One of the big projects I’ve taken on in 2010 is working with Bookclub-in-a-Box. We’re trying to revamp their website, streamline their production schedule, do more in the American market and — biggest of all! — open a literary community centre. Bookclub-in-a-Box believes that the book is a social object and that through the book, communities can come together to have lively discussions about literature, film, music, art and more. It’s a place to talk about ideas, share perspectives and learn, around and through books.

Marilyn Herbert, the owner, has been doing BIAB-branded program in her home and for others for years and discovered that there’s a huge demand for similar programming. And that’s exactly what were are doing. On January 21st, we’re opening the Bookclub-in-a-Box centre. Hence, this:

It’s scary and exciting at the same time. We’re still working on finalizing the programming and expect that to be up on the website in a few days. It’s a great mix of writing, film, drama and literature classes, workshops and one-off sessions.

We’re also launching a semi-regular free book exchange, where people can stop by, talk shop (and their favorite books!) and pick up a great new read in exchange for an old one. Should be good times.

Wow, how is it 2010? How am I 25 years old? Where did the time go? Now that it’s resolution time, here is the obligatory “I’m going to blog more” post (that always ends in failure). 2009 was pretty good to me. I started working with Books@Torontoist. I launched a Glee blog. My b5media stuff went well. @booksin140 surpassed 5,000 followers. Life is good.

I left a decent job at University of Toronto Press to pursue a bunch of insane projects. The idea that I’ll fall flat on my face and become completely broke and homeless is never too far from my mind. However, check that second sentence again. I’m 25. When else am I going to do something this brave/crazy/dumb?

I’ll be spending most of my time hanging out over at Bookclub-in-a-Box. We’re getting a physical space where we can host bookclubs, film screenings and more, and we’re expanding our online presence. I’ve been freelancing for this company for nearly three years and the time came to for them to step everything up a notch. So they brought me on board in a semi-full-time capacity (hence, the job leaving). We’re planning a lot of cool adult literary-type programming, so keep your ears to the ground. It should be a good time for all.

I’m hoping to spend some of 2010 focusing on me. Get my diet back on track. Get healthy again. Actually spend time with the guy who shares my bed. 2009 was exhausting and, unfortunately, my body and spirit was left on the back burner as I pursued all these (amazing!) projects. I’m giving veganism another shot. I’m exploring different ways I can get my body back in the kick-ass shape it was in college. I have no plans to run another Beep test, but I want to feel strong again. I haven’t felt strong in a long time.

I want to read more. Being asked to participate in several “Books of the Decade” lists and the Advent Books blog made me realize how unaware of my reading habits I am. I rarely read new releases. I rarely read Canadian releases. Part of this is that my personal tastes don’t necessarily line up with what’s happening with the literary scene right now. But, a larger part of it, is that I’m too lazy to stay on top of this kind of thing. My extreme distaste for hardcovers doesn’t help, but it’s not an excuse. I’m lazy. I need to stop being lazy.

I love new years. New day planners. new calendars. New leaves. This time, a new job. Who knows if I’ll actually update this space? Who knows if Bookclub-in-a-Box will work? Who knows where I’ll be in a year? As long as I breathe, everything will be okay.

It’s an adventure. Get excited. Keep breathing.