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The broadcaster and author Grant Lawrence discusses his new book for young readers Adventures in Desolation Sound (Harbour Publishing, 2024), with Joseph Planta. Adventures in Desolation Sound by Grant Lawrence (Harbour Publishing, 2024). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Adventures in Desolation Sound Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Grant Lawrence joins me again. He’s just published a new children’s book, Adventures in Desolation Sound. He’s bringing to young readers the unforgettable characters, and the remote and bucolic part of British Columbia that we’ve read about in his memoirs 2010’s Adventures in Solitude and 2022’s Return to Solitude. And with illustrations by Ginger Ngo, the book is a delight. We see what Desolation Sound was like for young Grant and his sister Heather, probably not as interesting as the television they were addicted to watching in the 1970s and 1980s. And there were the all-too long car trips and ferry rides that would make them sick, only to arrive to little artificial light, weird neighbours, and no television. But as happened with Grant, in the book, the Grant character learns the magic of Desolation Sound, and meets those remarkable, fascinating people like Cougar Nancy and Russell the Hermit. I’ll ask Grant about this new picture book, and all the adventures depicted therein. I’ll ask him about the place itself, and what it’s meant to him growing up and growing older, and to his own kids now. Grant Lawrence is the award-winning writer, musician, and broadcaster. Other than the two previous books I mentioned, he’s written two other bestsellers, The Lonely End of the Rink, and Dirty Windshields. His first children’s picture book, Bailey the Bat and the Tangled Moose was released in 2021. He is a longtime personality on CBC Music, and the lead singer of The Smugglers. He is a Canadian Screen Award winner, and the goalie for the Vancouver Flying Vees beer league hockey team. This new book is from Harbour Publishing. We spoke two weeks ago. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Grant Lawrence; Mr. Lawrence, good morning.The post Grant Lawrence first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The acclaimed novelist and writer Zoe Whittall discusses her new collection of poetry No Credit River (Book*hug Press, 2024), with Joseph Planta. No Credit River by Zoe Whittall (Book*hug Press, 2024). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: No Credit River Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Zoe Whittall joins me now. She’s just published a new collection, No Credit River. Through prose poetry, she looks back at abandoned love, trauma, the loss of a pregnancy, the complexity of queer relationships, and isolation. It’s a recent six-year period that she looks back on, that she’s come out of. I’ll ask her about the wisdom that she might have gleaned from the experience, and the understanding that she hopefully obtained having thoughtfully reflected on it all. There are pieces in the book that are personal, and it’s remarkable to see the insight she shares, as well as the growth of a person that comes with the passage of time. I’ll ask Zoe about the process of writing prose poetry, and how different it might be from other forms of writing that she does. I’ll ask her about the writing community in this country, which is something she discusses throughout the collection. Zoe Whittall is the author of the short story collection Wild Failure, and five bestselling novels including The Fake, The Spectacular, The Best Kind of People, Holding Still for as Long as Possible, and Bottle Rocket Hearts. Her previous poetry collections include Pre-cordial Thump, The Emily Valentine Poems, and The Best Ten Minutes of Your Life. Her work has won a Lambda Literary Award, the Writers’ Trust Dayne Ogilvie Award, and been shortlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize. She has worked as a TV writer on the Emmy-Award winning comedy show Schitt’s Creek and The Baroness Von Sketch Show for which she won a 2018 Canadian Screen Award. This new collection is published by Book*hug Press. She was born in the Eastern Townships of Quebec and now lives in Prince Edward County, Ontario, where she joined me from one week ago. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Zoe Whittall; Ms. Whittall, good morning.The post Zoe Whittall first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The author Renée D. Bondy discusses her debut novel [non]disclosure (Second Story Press, 2024), with Joseph Planta. [non]disclosure by Renée D. Bondy (Second Story Press, 2024). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: [non]disclosur Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. I started reading a novel recently [non]disclosure. It’s an engaging, well-plotted read. The book opens with a young girl whose family’s life is quite involved in their Catholic church. As the story continues, she is abused by her parish priest. She doesn’t tell anybody for a long time, but when she does, it’s because she’s read in the paper that the priest involved was in the news because he was accused of other abuses. She tells her parents, who tell the Archdiocese. As she goes into adulthood, we can see how this abuse affects her. And as she finds herself working in an underground hospice for men dying from the still-taboo AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, she comes to realise how much damage the silence enveloping her life has wrought. The book’s author, Renée D. Bondy joins me now to talk about the book, the impetus to write it, and the voice she gives her central character, and more. She taught Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of Windsor, and her writing has appeared in Herizons, Bitch, Bearings Online, and the Humber Literary Review. She is a graduate of the Humber School for Writers. This new novel is published by Second Story Press. She joined me two weeks ago from her home in Chatham, Ontario. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Renée Bondy; Dr. Bondy, good morning.The post Renée D. Bondy first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The YouTuber and podcaster Steve “Dangle” Glynn discusses his new book Hockey Rants and Raves (HarperCollins, 2024), with Joseph Planta. Hockey Rants and Raves by Steve “Dangle” Glynn (HarperCollins, 2024). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Hockey Rants and Raves Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. One of the more engaging books of the season is the latest from Steve “Dangle” Glynn. The popular broadcaster, podcaster, and YouTube star delivers his signature enthusiasm and frankness in Hockey Rants and Raves. He is both humorous and honest as he takes on some of the greatest arguments amongst hockey fans, as well as starts new ones. Take coming up with a Mount Rushmore for goalies, the greatest goalies, he comes up with his four and then another four, and whether you agree with his case or not, the reader then thinks of their own, making for a fun experience reading the book. And as a casual hockey observer, the book is immediately accessible and one can see why so many are drawn to the game. Steve is a long-suffering Toronto Maple Leafs fan and he examines the joys and traumas of being a strident supporter of the team. He looks critically at the fan bases of not just his team but others through the league. He speaks for the fan experience too, critical of the cost of seeing the game, but lovingly painting the experience of going to a game in a way that makes it aspirational despite the price of admission. We’ll talk about all of this and more, including where the name Dangle came from. Steve Glynn spent nine seasons with Sportsnet, and co-founded SDPN, a sports podcast network with the motto Sports Are Fun. You can find him throughout the world of social media @stevedangle is the usual handle. This new book is published by HarperCollins. We spoke last Thursday, with Steve joining me from Ajax, Ontario. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Steve Glynn; Mr. Glynn, good morning.The post Steve “Dangle” Glynn first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The former astronaut and cabinet minister the Honourable Marc Garneau discusses his memoir A Most Extraordinary Ride: Space, Politics, and the Pursuit of a Canadian Dream (Signal, 2024), with Joseph Planta. A Most Extraordinary Ride: Space, Politics, and the Pursuit of a Canadian Dream by Marc Garneau (Signal, 2024). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: A Most Extraordinary Ride Text of introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Forty years ago this month, Marc Garneau became the first Canadian to fly to outer space. It was one of the country’s proudest moments, and inspired a nation into a new era of space exploration. Garneau would return to space two more times, and after a career as a naval officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as leading the Canadian Space Agency, he entered the world of politics, winning election to the House of Commons in 2008. When the Liberal Party was elected the government in 2015, he was appointed Minister of Transport, and later on in 2021, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs. He recounts all that and more in a new memoir A Most Extraordinary Ride: Space, Politics, and the Pursuit of a Canadian Dream. I’ll ask him about space, what it’s like to experience space physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. As well, I’ll ask about the future of space travel and exploration. We’ll talk about his time in politics. He was Transport Minister, as well as Foreign Minister through a tumultuous time in Canadian politics, the pandemic, the arbitrary detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor; among many other notable events over the last decade. And I’ll get him to reflect on whatever his relationship was with Justin Trudeau. This new book is published by Signal. We spoke last Wednesday. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, the Honourable Marc Garneau; Mr. Garneau, good morning.The post Marc Garneau first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The director Mark Carter discusses the new CTORA Theatre production Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (11-27 October 2024 at the Norman and Annette Rothstein Theatre), and more, with Joseph Planta. Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Mark Carter joins me again. The director and designer is on to preview the latest CTORA Theatre production, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, starting this Friday, 11 October 2024. It’ll be at the Norman and Annette Rothstein Theatre through to 27 October 2024. We all know those classic songs “Candy Man,” and “Pure Imagination.” This new musical blends those favourites with fresh numbers. And whether you remember the 1971 film or the original novel by Roald Dahl, there’ll be something familiar and welcome. I’ll ask Mark about the piece, as well as this production. It’s a big cast and a live 8-piece orchestra. You can visit www.ctora.ca for tickets and information. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Mark Carter; Mr. Carter, good morning.The post Mark Carter first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The science journalist, author and broadcaster Bob McDonald discusses his memoir Just Say Yes (Douglas & McIntyre, 2024), with Joseph Planta. Just Say Yes by Bob McDonald (Douglas & McIntyre, 2024). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Just Say Yes Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. For over four decades now, Bob McDonald has devoted his working life to reporting on science. And in his inimitable way, he’s brought the study of the world and the world around us closer to audiences on television, through his writing, and of course, over thirty years on CBC Radio’s Quirks and Quarks. In his new memoir Just Say Yes, he tells the story of not just of how he ended up one of the preeminent science correspondents in the country, but his beginnings in Orilla, Ontario. It was a blue-collar experience for Bob and his family. He writes of the challenges of living in a small town, and the childhood abuse he suffered. He writes about all of his life candidly and captivatingly. It’s, as I tell him in our interview we taped about ten days ago, as though we can hear his voice as we read. Bob McDonald has hosted Quirks and Quarks since 1992. He is a regular science commentator on CBC News Network, and science correspondent for CBC’s The National. Before that he was the host and one of the producers of the television program Wonderstruck. He has received the 2001 Michael Smith Award for science promotion from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council, as well as the 2002 Sandford Fleming medal from the Royal Canadian Institute for Science. He also received the 2005 McNeil Medal from the Royal Society of Canada. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada, and the recipient of thirteen honorary doctorates. In 2014, asteroid 332324 was officially named BOBMCDONALD. This new book is published by Douglas & McIntyre. He joined me from his home in Victoria, BC. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Bob McDonald; Mr. McDonald, good morning.The post Bob McDonald first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The author and veteran sports writer Ed Willes discusses his new book Never Boring: The Up and Down History of the Vancouver Canucks (Harbour Publishing, 2024), with Joseph Planta. Never Boring: The Up and Down History of the Vancouver Canucks by Ed Willes (Harbour Publishing, 2024). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Never Boring Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Ed Willes joins me now. He’s just published a great read, Never Boring: The Up and Down History of the Vancouver Canucks. He takes the reader beginning in the 1960s when Vancouver desperate for an NHL franchise is left out thanks to the various machinations of people here and elsewhere, Central Canada specifically. It might be a conspiracy of sorts or not. The book looks at the various ownership groups over the last fifty-four years, from those early days in the 1970s, through to the Frank Griffiths era, McCaw, and now the Aquilinis. We see the challenges of owning an NHL franchise, and how the owners are regarded by fan and foe alike. We are regaled with stories of unforgettable players, characters through the highs and lows of wins and losses; players who dazzle fans with skill or personality or both. As Mr. Willes tells me in this interview we taped a couple of weeks ago, this book from Harbour Publishing was to have come out last fall but because of a delay turned fortuitous, the book is out now with a hell of a last chapter. He narrates just how the Canucks seem to have gotten out of that funk from the time of the management of Jim Benning, through to the coaching of Bruce Boudreau through today’s management group of Jim Rutherford, Patrik Allvin, and award-winning head coach Rick Tocchet. The excitement surrounding the team during that playoff run comes through the page, and it either bodes well for the season ahead, or perhaps signifies an aberration. I’ll ask Ed about all that and more. The book is also a great tribute to daily sports journalism. We see once more glimpses of the writing of Jim Kearney, Jim Coleman, Jim Taylor, and even Allan Fotheringham, among many others. There’s also a lot of Mr. Willes’s own work as he spent some forty years covering sports at newspapers across Canada, including many years at The Province here in Vancouver. Ed Willes is also the author of The Rebel League, Gretzky to Lemieux, and End Zones and Border Wars. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Ed Willes; Mr. Willes, good morning.The post Ed Willes first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The writer and director of Lucky Star Gillian McKercher discusses the feature film that boasts an Asian-Canadian cast (Terry Chen, Olivia Cheng, Conni Miu) and reflects on family, deceit and luck (screening this week at the Vancouver International Film Festival), with Joseph Planta. Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Gillian McKercher joins me now. She’s a written and directed a new film, Lucky Star. It’s a terrific movie set in Calgary, where Lucky played by Terry Chen, once a gambler, has since settled down with a wife, two daughters, a business and a mortgage. He falls for a tax scam, and after losing a good chunk of money, and saddled with more bills that pile up, he realises he might have to go back to his gambling ways to recover his losses and keep afloat. His wife Noel, played by Olivia Cheng, and daughter Grace, played by Conni Miu, also have moral dilemmas of their own. Naturally, they’re opposed to his gambling. The film is a great look at familial bonds, deceit, and sacrifice. It’s wonderfully paced, and gripping to watch. It’s a marvelous addition to the Asian-Canadian film genre. Gillian joins me now to talk about this film, identity and more. She is a writer, director and producer based out of Calgary. Her first feature Circle of Steel was critically acclaimed and the winner of the Audience Award at the 2018 Calgary International Film Festival. Visit www.gillianmckercher.com for more. The film screens 6.30pm Thursday, 03 October 2024 at the International Village Cinema. There’s another screening Saturday, 05 October 2024 at 12.30pm. Gillian is scheduled to attend both screenings for Q&A’s. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Gillian McKercher; Ms. McKercher, good morning.The post Gillian McKercher first appeared on thecommentary.ca.

The filmmaker Josephine Anderson talks to Joseph Planta about her debut feature documentary Curl Power, screening at the Vancouver International Film Festival this week. Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Another great documentary screening this week at the Vancouver International Film Festival is Curl Power. In the film, director Josephine Anderson follows a teenage curling team from Maple Ridge, 4KGirl$. They’re a hardworking group of friends who strive to be curling champions, who are coached by three of their mothers who happen to be former Olympians. In the film, we see them curl, but we also see them grow up, and contend with all those issues that young people have to deal with, self-esteem, body image, anxiety, depression, breakups and all the other transitions that people in high school go through. And as they go through them together curling is both incidental, as well as what keeps them together. The film captures these young women often in vulnerable ways, and through Josephine’s well-placed camera, we see how they grow up throughout the film. The films quiet nature allows the viewer to think about their own formative years and how they’ve been leavened by the friendships formed in those all-too important years. Curl Power is Josephine Anderson’s debut feature. She previously appeared on the program in 2020 when her short On Falling premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. This new film screens 03 October 2024 at 6.00pm and Saturday, 05 October 2024 at 3.45pm at SFU Woodwards. Visit www.viff.org for tickets and information. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program Josephine Anderson; Ms. Anderson, good morning.The post Josephine Anderson first appeared on thecommentary.ca.