Book links roundup: Oscars get literary, a toast to Robbie Burns, and more

• Thirteen 2012 Oscar-nominated movies adapted from books
• Toast Robbie Burns Day with the Toronto Star’s Scottish beer recommendations
• Amazon Publishing strikes print licensing agreement with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• Knopf executive Paul Bogaards’s tongue-in-cheek list of top 100 players in book publishing
• Slideshow: Scott Pilgrim fan captures locations from the graphic novels on camera
• Wild turkey breaks into South Dakota library

Canadian literary event roundup: Jan. 20-26

It’s a busy week for literary events. Here’s a sample of what’s going on across the country:

• Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild presents “Writing North: Writing the Extraordinary,” University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon (Jan. 20–21, free, www.skwriter.com)
• Poet Tanya Davis leads Stanzas in the Stacks: Poetry in the Library after Dark, Spring Garden Road Memorial Public Library, Halifax (Jan. 20, 8 p.m., free)
• Dragnet literary magazine launches its fourth issue, Academy of the Impossible, Toronto (Jan. 21, 9 p.m., pay what you can)
• Third annual Sparks Literary Festival, Memorial University, St. John’s (Jan. 22, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., free)
• William Gibson discusses his new book, Distrust that Particular Flavor, Bolen Books, Victoria (Jan. 23, 7 p.m., free)
• Robbie Burns marathon poetry reading with haggis and shortbread, Simon Fraser University Harbour Centre, Vancouver (Jan. 25, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., free)
• CBC Radio and McNally Robinson host 5 Readers, 5 Writers, 5 Minutes, Winnipeg (Jan. 25, 8 p.m., free)
• Brian Brennan, author of Writing My Way From Ireland to Canada, and Frances Hern, author of Yip Sang and the First Chinese Canadians, read from their work and discuss the Canadian immigrant experience, Central branch, Calgary Public Library (Jan. 26, 12 to 1 p.m., free. Call 403-260-2620 to register)
• Ottawa Independent Writers presents “How to Write a Winning ‘How-To’ Book” with business author Dr. Denis Cauvier, Library & Archives Canada (Jan. 26, 7 p.m., $10, www.oiw.ca)
• Reading and book signing with UPEI writer-in-residence Michael Crummey, Confederation Centre Art Gallery, Charlottetown (Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m., free)

Quillblog is looking for photos from literary events across Canada. Send your photos to scflinn@quillandquire.com.

Event photos: polar bear dip, Fetherling’s 60th, and Bittman’s signing

A number of recent events – including a mid-winter swim and a swanky birthday bash – brought out the literary luminaries. Quillblog’s army of roving citizen photojournalists were on hand to capture the various goings on.

The first annual Port Credit Polar Bear plunge to commemorate Robbie Burns Day was held this past Saturday, and a number of Canadian literary and media figures took part. Above, broadcaster Shelagh Rogers emerges from the frigid drink, while Paul Quarrington charges in.

Margaret Atwood and Ken McGoogan – more appropriately dressed for the weather – were in attendance to lend support.

McGoogan (left) and author Graeme Gibson pass out drams to the swimmers.

Canadian author George Fetherling celebrated his 60th birthday with a dinner at Massey College on Jan. 17. Margaret Atwood was on hand (minus the gloves and parka) to pay tribute to Fetherling.

Food writer Mark Bittman launched his new book, Food Matters, at Hart House on Jan. 22. Bittman spoke with CBC radio’s Matt Galloway to a crowd of more than 300. Above, Bittman, flanked by Simon & Schuster publicist Melissa Ong, signs copies of his book.

A subdued Bittman waits at the signing table.

UPDATE: This post contains material that has been corrected. The title of Mark Bittman’s new book was incorrect in the original post. Quillblog apologizes for the error.

[Photos courtesy of Ken McGoogan (polar bear dip), George Fetherling, and Loretta Eldridge (Bittman launch).]