The Book Drunkard Literary Festival


Events in September 2023

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Featured Event

Quill and ink

Emma Donoghue In Conversation with Miranda Hill

Wooden Sticks Golf Club - October 28 | 2023 - 4:00 pm

Join us for some tea and cakes at Wooden Sticks to celebrate the publication of Emma Donoghue’s latest tour-de-force.

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"An International Festival Done Local"

With so many award winning and bestselling authors in store for this year’s festival, there are so many events to get involved with this season!

Sign up for one event or catch them all with our ticket packages and bundles.

Purchase two or more packages and receive each package for $150 (+HST) 

‘Nod To Maud’ – A Celebration of Lucy Maud Montgomery

From one of Canada’s most beloved performing artists comes an audacious work of non-fiction that explores the stories that shape us and the reach that the past can have across generations.

Author and actor R.H. Thomson has appeared in film and theatre across Canada, including Matthew Cuthbert in Anne With An E. While his theatrical accolades pay tribute to Lucy Maud Montgomery, By the Ghost Light offers an extraordinary look at his family’s history while providing a powerful examination of how we understand war and its aftermath.

Join us for this historical journey in the month of remembrance as we discuss By the Ghost Light with renowned journalist and interviewer, Carol Off.

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"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 Book Drunkard Beer” by The Second Wedge is back!

The Second Wedge Brewing Co. is excited to be brewing up The Book Drunkard Festival beer — a rich, malty but elegantly restrained märzen (the traditional beer of Oktoberfest). The beer will be available on tap and in cans at The Second Wedge beginning soon!

 

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

Brent Butt in Conversation with Neil Crone
The Rare Machines Tour
A Dining Experience with Mary Berg
Zalika Reid-Benta In Conversation with Wendy O'Brien
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Brent Butt in Conversation with Neil Crone

Little Mosque on the Prairie takes on Corner Gas for an evening that’s guaranteed to entertain.  Join us as hometown favourite and funnyman Neil Crone interviews Best Male Stand-Up in Canada, Brent Butt at the fine old Uxbridge Music Hall.

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The Rare Machines Tour

Join us at Wooden Sticks for a mind-blowing round-table discussion with five extraordinary authors.

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A Dining Experience with Mary Berg

Following the success of her visit in 2019, we are pleased to welcome Mary Berg back to Uxbridge! Join us for a four course meal as Mary delves deeper into her dishes and experiences as a chef and television personality. This event includes a copy of Mary’s latest cookbook, In Mary’s Kitchen, to take home and create your own MasterChef quality recipes.

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Zalika Reid-Benta In Conversation with Wendy O'Brien

Join us at Wooden Sticks Golf Club for Books and Brunch with Zalika Reid-Benta.

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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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