Only 9 books were printed in the series from generally unknown authors.  The print runs on them were likely pretty low as they don’t seem to turn up very often (although can be had readily on the web for $10-15 each).  Here is a brief bibliographic checklist for the series.

Here’s how they described the series on the back covers:

THE FRANKENSTEIN HORROR SERIES is a group of entirely new stories that follows the fates of the primal monsters and their heirs, as they re-emerge from the Pit of the Unknown, the Unspeakable, and the Undead.

The Game
by: Ken Dryden
Defended by: Alan Thicke

On a Cold Road
by: Dave Bidini
Defended by: Stacey McKenzie

Prisoner of Tehran
by: Marina Nemat
Defended by: Arlene Dickinson

Something Fierce
by: Carmen Aguirre
Defended By: Shad

The Tiger
by: John Vaillant
Defended by: Anne-France Goldwater

The first round of chats with the debaters are being posted with the debates themselves to air February 6-9 at 11:00 a.m. on CBC Radio One and live-streamed on CBC Books at 10:00 a.m. EST.  Also, you can follow the debates and discussion here (www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads) or download the podcasts if you missed the live debates.

Copies can be had a your local independant bookstore, or online via Chapters or Amazon.  Or, if you are fortunate enough to be in Ottawa June 11th, you may be able to snatch one up from George himself at the CBBAG Book Arts Fair!

Also recently released from the Porcupine’s Quill is issue 68 of the Devil’s Artisan, featuring none other than the wonderful wood engravings of George Walker through a number of great articles and scads of illustrative examples of George’s work.  Definitely worth picking up.

The book revolves around the McGahern’s impending move in early 2011 from the Glebe after 40 years residency, but covers a range of topics from the place of biography in a bookshop and the intoxicating smell of books*, to Heather’s days spent in the store and the McGahern rules of engagement for the myraid of ”interesting” clients she would face.   The book’s candid and playful tone guide the reader through the books meandering topics and reminiscences, reminding me very much of Christopher Morley’s style of whimsical musings of books and those they impress their will upon.  It is a lovely little peek at life behind the counter of a used bookstore and a fine little keepsake for those who often haunted the shelves of Patrick McGahern Books.

Memoirs of a Bookshop Girl can be purchased for $10.00 at Patrick McGahern Books in the Glebe until they close the doors on that location in the New Year, or directly from the author at heather_e_thomson@bell.net.  Already in its second printing, this little book is well worth a cup of tea by the fire for Ottawa residents who will remember the McGahern’s shop fondly or for any book lover who enjoy a taste of life on the other side of the counter.

*(As for the science behind what gives a book that intoxicatingly warm sweet smell, I leave that up to you to discover between the pages of Heather’s little memoir.)

Stargazer is a wonderful all-ages fantasy graphic novel that sees a young girl, Marni, and her two friends go on a wild adventure to an alien world through the magic of a mysterious Artifact left to Marni by her grandmother who had recently passed away.   Marni, still emotionally devastated by her grandmother’s death, is suddenly transported by the Artifact, along with her friends Sophie and Elora, from the safety of their backyard camping trip to a strange and distant world.  The three girls adventure forward, exploring a strange world of odd landscapes, a friendly robot, terrifying monsters, and other oddities along the path towards a mysterious distant tower which they hope maybe the key to finding a way home.

Having fortunately scored a copy a couple weeks ago from the author himself, I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy it a little earlier than most, and it does not disappoint.  Von Allan continues to refine his craft and tales into a magical realm of fantastic literature that rekindles ones sense of childhood adventure and energy while deftly dealing with very serious issues of loss, friendship and hope.   Beautifully illustrated and complete with full page posters, storyboards, and author commentary, Stargazer: Volume One is a wonderful inaugural book to what will hopefully become a successful series for years to come. 

Copies of the book can bought at the launch this coming Sunday, from Von Allan’s website, or can be found at our booth in the Ottawa Antique Market.

The Wm Hawkins Folio was coincided with the publication of Sweet & Sour Nothings, a long forgotten collection of poems by Hawkins which were originally published in the 1980 Anthos Anthology.  Unfortunately these poems were never published as their own title, despite best intentions in the 80s, nor reprinted or discussed for the past 30 years.  So, our hats-off to Apt. 9 Press for publishing this long-lost Hawkins title, with the text freshly edited by Roy MacSkimming, for us all to read and enjoy. 

It appears Cameron’s work with the Hawkins material has also earned him some notice and praise on Rob Mclennan’s blog.

Have just recently read a number of books from the Porcupine’s Quill spring catalogue, I was very impressed with what they’ve had to offer so far in 2010.  The reprinting of James Reaney’s Suit of Nettles, with wonderful accompanying wood engravings by Jim Westergard, was a nice touch after offering up a great selection of Reaney’s work as part of the Essential Poets Series last fall. 

Joyce Wieland’s Writings and Drawings provided an eclectic mixture of drawings, journal entries, poetry and other writings that span nearly two decades.  This book was admittedly a fun and interesting introduction to a rather quirky artist/writer with whom I was not previously familiar.

This spring also brought the 3rd installment of PQ’s Graphic Novel Series, Megan Speers’ Wanderlust.  A wordless novel in the tradition on Lynd Ward, Frans Masereel, & co., Wanderlust follows a teenage girl’s punk life-style through the summer days of booze, bands, boys and the occasional bit of dumpster diving.  A well laid out visual tale leaving the reader with a number of memorable engravings of anarchy and bliss.

Finally, I also greatly enjoyed the Spring/Summer issue of the Devil’s Artisan which was dedication to Jim Rimmer who sadly passed away earlier this year.  The issue contains an excellent series of essays on Rimmer’s amazing career and the impact he had on his fellow printers, not to mention Canadian type and book design in general.  The issue also contains an extensive checklist of his books (both authored and personally printed) as well as specimens of the many type faces he design over the years.  A must have for fans of Rimmers work or those interested in Canadian type design.

With those titles now off the “to read” pile, I’m ready to see what the fall selection from the Porcupine’s Quill will bring.

On to the book itself.  Last night I finally had some time to sit and relax with a good book.  I picked up The road to god knows… and was drawn in immediately to the story of a wrestling addicted teenager Marie as she tries to cope with her mother’s mental illness and its cascading effect on the various aspects of her life.  The story is well crafted and makes excellent use of the graphic novel medium to draw the reader into Marie’s life as she experiences the frustrating mercurial nature of living with a mentally ill loved one.  I also enjoyed very much the way in which Von Allan deals with such a serious issue with a mixture of brutal honesty and compassion.  At times as the reader you want to jump in and help this poor girl in any way possible then with the turn of the page feel warmed by the small, yet so significantly touching gestures, by her friend to help her weather the storm.  For me at least, The road to god knows… is another shining example of how the graphic novel can be used to tell a very human story with care and precision.  

(photo nicked from Von Allan’s website)

As noted above, we have picked up a few copies for our booth at the Antique Market and are very much looking forward to Von Allan’s next project Stargazer.