The Book Drunkard Literary Festival

The Book Drunkard Festival Resumes its in-person Festivities!

We’re so excited this year’s festival will return to in-person gatherings and we’ve gathered some incredible talent from across the globe to celebrate! From literary fiction to historical non-fiction, vegan french cooking to fresh seasonal cuisine, hockey stars to spooky stories for kids, and everything in-between…there’s something for everyone at this year’s festival.

Attend one event or attend them all with our discounted ‘pairings’ and ‘flight’ packages. In addition to discounted tickets to our events and limited edition swag, the Top Flight package also includes a VIP invitation to the Biblioasis Small Books Big Bash party.

Remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and take a look at our upcoming events below! Your next great read is waiting!

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Featured Event

Quill and ink

In Conversation with Fredrik Backman [SOLD OUT]

Trail Hub - October 5 | 2022 - 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Join us at Trail Hub on October 5, 2022, at 7:00 pm as we listen in on Fredrik Backman discussing his new novel, The Winners, with store favourite, Terry Fallis.

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"An International Festival Done Local"

Events in September 2022

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
August 28 | 2022 August 29 | 2022 August 30 | 2022 August 31 | 2022 September 1 | 2022 September 2 | 2022 September 3 | 2022
September 4 | 2022 September 5 | 2022 September 6 | 2022 September 7 | 2022 September 8 | 2022 September 9 | 2022 September 10 | 2022
September 11 | 2022 September 12 | 2022 September 13 | 2022 September 14 | 2022 September 15 | 2022 September 16 | 2022 September 17 | 2022
September 18 | 2022 September 19 | 2022 September 20 | 2022 September 21 | 2022 September 22 | 2022 September 23 | 2022 September 24 | 2022
September 25 | 2022 September 26 | 2022 September 27 | 2022 September 28 | 2022 September 29 | 2022 September 30 | 2022(1 event)

All day: Weekend Writer’s Retreat with Wendy O’Brien

 October 1 | 2022(1 event)

All day: Weekend Writer’s Retreat with Wendy O’Brien

"I am simply 'a book drunkard.' Books have the same irresistible temptation for me that liquor has for its devotee. I cannot withstand them." - Lucy Maud Montgomery

Spilled ink bottle

The “Maud” Raspberry Cordial Hard Cider by Banjo Cider

When Anne came back from the kitchen Diana was drinking her second glassful of cordial; and, being entreated thereto by Anne, she offered no particular objection to the drinking of a third. The tumblerfuls were generous ones and the raspberry cordial was certainly very nice.

Inspired by Anne of Green Gables and our historic tie to L.M. Montgomery, we are thrilled to collaborate with Banjo Cider and bring ‘Maud’ to The Book Drunkard Festival this year! Slow-fermented from organic apples and delicately infused with raspberries, this cider is one that warrants generous pours and third glasses!

The “Kindred Spirits” Chocolate Bar by DesBarres Chocolate Returns This Year!

Introduced during our inaugural festival in 2019, this bar is in honour of L. M. Montgomery who penned many of her books a few kilometres away from Blue Heron Books and DesBarres chocolate factory. The bar combines the smooth and chocolatey richness of 70% Dominicana with tart freeze-dried raspberries and a hint of fresh lemon peel. Munch on this bar while re-reading the story of Anne Shirley, Diana Barry and the rascally “raspberry cordial.” You will fall in love with Anne and the Kindred Spirits bar!

Available for purchase at Blue Heron Books.

(Fun fact! The inner liner of your Kindred Spirit Raspberry Cordial bar is a beautiful bookmark, designed by artist Tracy Walker!)

More Events

In Conversation with John Irving
Fresh Seasonal Cuisine with Deirdre Buryk
In Conversation with David A. Robertson
A Remembrance Day Tribute with Ted Barris
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In Conversation with John Irving

Join us on November 14, 2022, at 7:00 pm at The Trail Hub for an up close and personal discussion with the inimitable John Irving as he shares with us, The Last Chairlift.

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Fresh Seasonal Cuisine with Deirdre Buryk

Join us at Urban Pantry Restaurant on Thursday October 20 at 6:30 pm for a fabulous evening of food and conversation as Deirdre Buryk shows us how to make the most of seasonal Ontario produce when it’s freshest!

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In Conversation with David A. Robertson

Join us at Slabtown Cider Co. on November 2, 2022, at 7:00 pm as we listen in on David A. Robertson in discussion with Daryl Sneath about his new adult novel, A Theory of Crows.

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A Remembrance Day Tribute with Ted Barris

Join us at Slabtown Cidery on November 9, 2022, at 7:00 pm  for an evening of remembrance and conversation between local hero, Ted Barris and Canadian award-winning author and humourist, Terry Fallis as they discuss Ted’s newest addition to the Canadian history catalogue, Battle of the Atlantic.

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30 Years of Blue Heron Books

Celebrating 30 Years in 2019 – Blue Heron Books

In bookselling, 30 years is something worth celebrating. Small business is tough and bookselling even tougher. But Blue Heron Books succeeded! And the future is looking very bright indeed.

To mark this auspicious occasion, Blue Heron Books inaugurated The Book Drunkard Literary Festival in 2019. A longtime dream of owner Shelley Macbeth, the festival embraces all things dear to booklovers – great books and authors, great theatre, great food and drink and great music. You can count on being impressed by the depth and breadth of the festival. There truly is something for everyone!

In addition, 30 Random Acts of Book Kindness was Blue Heron’s way of acknowledging this milestone by giving back to the community that supported the store through thirty years of ups and downs. Blue Heron committed to undertake 30 acts of book kindness – big and small –to initiate or enhance the reading life of many. One of these projects, spearheaded and still implemented by the amazing Lucy Black, was establishing a read-aloud program at local nursing homes.

As well, a Facebook campaign to nurture indie bookseller love across the country was ushered in to encourage Canadian readers to continue supporting the indie bookstore in their neighbourhood.

And finally, what’s a milestone without a party? Blue Heron Books opened its doors to former staff and all customers during the fall of 2019, where an anniversary scrapbook was on display with LOTS of memorabilia. Stories were shared – a common occurrence at Blue Heron Books – and guests came armed with theirs!

View 2019 Festival Gallery

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