Poet Derek Walcott wins T.S. Eliot prize

Caribbean poet Derek Walcott, currently a scholar in residence at University of Alberta in Edmonton, has won the prestigious T.S. Eliot Prize for Poetry, for his collection White Egrets. He won the $24,000 Cdn prize in London on Monday evening and was presented the award by Valerie Eliot, widow of the great 20th century poet. Walcott, who won the Nobel Prize in 1992, writes most frequently about the Caribbean and its post-colonial history.

Cendrine Marrouat -- Night Table Recommendations

People have often asked me why I chose to write spiritual poetry. This is what I always tell them: "Poetry is the language of the soul. It is also the only art form that can be used to tackle any topic, even those that we would find difficult to talk about." As a writer, I want to challenge my readers to think differently, to look at themselves in Life's mirror. I want them to re-connect with their inner child in order to experience growth and well-being.

As a reader, I expect nothing less. All the books that I have read have helped me to understand myself. In the list below, you will find the four books that have literally changed my life. The fifth one is a recent discovery that I also recommend warmly.

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Michelle Elrick -- Night Table Recommendations

On my night table at the moment sit a small stack of collected poetry works, a very boring novel I haven't been able to finish, and a lovely little book by Kurt Vonnegut. Of the poetry, I have most enjoyed dipping into Pier Giorgio Di Cicco's Living In Paradise and Robin Skelton's Selected Poems. Each of these collections covers a significant portion of the author's writing life, affording me a chance to understand the development of each author's interest and character.

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Griffin Poetry Prize Winners Announced

The Griffin Poetry Prize Winners were announced in Toronto on June 3rd. The Canadian winner is Karen Solie for her book Pigeon and the International winner is Eilean Ni Chuilleanain for her book The Sun-Fish. Both winners received a cash prize of $65, 000.

Here is Karen Solie reading from Pigeon during her reading in our store.

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