Novel Idea Bookstore
156 Princess St K7L 1B1 Kingston, ON, Canada

TODAY at 3pm, join historian Elizabeth F. Thompson as she discusses her recent book "How the West Stole Democracy from the Arabs." A virtual event presented by Muslim Societies, Global Perspectives (Queen's University).

Looking for a hard copy of the latest Massey Lectures? You'll find 'Reset' in stock here at Novel Idea!

Vegetarian chef Deborah Madison's 'Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone' is considered a classic; the author, widely known as the Queen of Greens! In her new memoir 'An Onion in My Pocket,' Madison "tells her storyand with it the story of the vegetarian movementor the very first time. From her childhood in Big Ag Northern California to working in the kitchen of the then-new Chez Panisse, and from the birth of food TV to the age of green markets everywhere, 'An Onion in My Pocket' is as much the story of the evolution of American foodways as it is the memoir of the woman at the forefront. It is a deeply personal look at the rise of vegetable-forward cooking, and a manifesto for how to eat well." Published by Alfred A. Knopf / Penguin Random House Canada and available here at Novel Idea.

"In 'Crap: A History of Cheap Stuff in America,' Wendy A. Woloson takes seriously the history of objects that are often cynically-made and easy to dismiss: things not made to last; things we don't really need; things we often don't even really want. Woloson does not mock these ordinary, everyday possessions but seeks to understand them as a way to understand aspects of ourselves, socially, culturally, and economically: Why do weas individuals and as a culturepossess these things? Where do they come from? Why do we want them? And what is the true cost of owning them?" Published by University of Chicago Press and available here at Novel Idea.

Looking for gift suggestions for this holiday season? Please consider books. And of course, PLEASE buy from your local bookseller! Novel Idea Bookstore Beggar's Banquet Books

A monumental new release at Novel Idea! Ben Wilson's 'Metropolis' "tells the grand, glorious story of how city living has allowed human culture to flourish. Beginning in 5,000 BC with Uruk, the world's first city, immortalized in The Epic of Gilgamesh, he shows us that cities were never a necessity, but that once they existed, their density created such a blossoming of human endeavour--producing new professions, art forms, worship and trade--that they kickstarted civilizatio...n itself. "Guiding readers through famous cities over 7,000 years, Wilson reveals the innovations driven by each: civics in the agora of Athens, global trade in 9th century Baghdad, finance in the coffeehouses of London, domestic comforts in the heart of Amsterdam, peacocking in Belle Epoque Paris. In the modern age, he studies the impact of verticality in New York City, the sprawl of LA and the eco-reimagining of 21st-century Shanghai." Published by Doubleday Canada / Penguin Random House Canada.

Guess who's hanging out in our back room! "A Promised Land," volume one of Barack Obama's long-promised memoir, will be available for purchase at Novel Idea starting THIS TUESDAY. Here's a sample of the advance word on this extraordinary book, from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's review in the New York Times: "Barack Obama is as fine a writer as they come. It is not merely that this book avoids being ponderous, as might be expected, even forgiven, of a hefty memoir, but that it... is nearly always pleasurable to read, sentence by sentence, the prose gorgeous in places, the detail granular and vivid. From Southeast Asia to a forgotten school in South Carolina, he evokes the sense of place with a light but sure hand." While you can pick up your copy of "A Promised Land" as soon as Tuesday, you can also call or email now to reserve one in advance (613-546-9799 / [email protected]). Crown Publishing / Penguin Random House Canada

For readers who favour the hard stuff: "The story of how Julian Van Winkle III, the caretaker of the most coveted cult Kentucky Bourbon whiskey in the world, fought to protect his family's heritage and preserve the taste of his forebears, in a world where authenticity, like his product, is in very short supply." ‘Pappyland,’ Wright Thompson's colourful account of the legendary Pappy Van Winkle bourbon whiskey, is available through Novel Idea! Penguin Press / Penguin Random House Canada

Listen to the CFRC 101.9fm interview with Aara McAuley, incoming Artistic Director of Kingston WritersFest!

Always a pleasure when an author from elsewhere passes through Kingston and drops by Novel Idea! Today Toronto-based novelist Bryn Turnbull happened along and signed our copies of "The Woman Before Wallis" (MIRA / HarperCollins Canada). Turnbull's well-received debut novel "tells the true story of the American divorcée who captured Prince Edward’s heart before he abdicated his throne for Wallis Simpson." Pick up your signed copy of "The Woman Before Wallis" here at Novel Idea!

TONIGHT watch the the Gillers, live!

J.K. Rowling's newest, an original fairy tale rich in mythic resonance. "The Ickabog" becomes available this Tuesday (and not before!). We'll have it for you here at Novel Idea.

TONIGHT at 7:30: Get to know the 2020 Giller Prize finalists!