Book Week: Grant Lawrence
byCanadian broadcaster and author Grant Lawrence has returned from his recent book tour that included: “5,812 kilometres. 30 events. 25 musicians. 12 libraries. 10 flights. 8 bars. 5 arts centres. 4 theatres. 3 bookstores. 2 rental cars. 1 lost CBC Sweater.” His new book, The Lonely End of the Rink: Confessions of a Reluctant Goalie was released by Douglas & McIntyre in the fall and currently sits on their bestseller list.
In this deeply personal, yet incredibly witty memoir about Grant’s relationship with hockey, the narrative passes back and forth between tales of Grant’s life and a fascinating history of hockey, complete with lively anecdotes about the many colourful characters of the NHL.
This is a side-splitting account of how hockey has played into various periods of his life, first as a knee-brace-wearing bully-magnet, then a rock star, and finally, a CBC broadcaster. Complete with Lawrence’s signature storytelling ability, this witty and personal book is a quintessentially Canadian story about our cultural lives, told through the grill of a goalie mask.
Not only does it contain colourful anecdotes about the history of the NHL, it is also chock full of stories about many Canadian celebrities—including comedians, musicians and actors—whose lives have been affected by the game.
The book delves deeply into hockey history, 1970s to 2000s, through the eyes of an on-again off-again Vancouver Canucks fan and as Andy Holloway writes for the National Post: “Despite its title and cover photo [Lawrence’s book] is actually less about being a goalie for the Vancouver Flying Vees, the team he cofounded along with other musicians, and more about finding where one fits in life.”
Book Week Giveaway
Every day this week I will give away a cool BC book. Here’s how to enter to win today’s featured title The Lonely End of the Rink: Confessions of a Reluctant Goalie by Grant Lawrence:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries on Monday, January 13, 2013 at 12:00pm. Follow Grant Lawrence’s everyday adventures on Twitter.
Update The winner is Anne Derkat!
37 Comments — Comments Are Closed
I’m really looking forward to reading this one. His first book was fantastic!
Would love to win this book. Father of three hockey playing boys and huge canadian music fan…
Sounds like a fun read + it’s about hockey!!!!
I’d love to read this book, I’m an avid fan of hockey, music and Canadian life in general, especially all things Vancouver! It looks like a fantastic read, so here’s hoping!
Would love a chance-thanks !
Just read an excerpt from this book in the CBC magazine: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/cbc-music-magazine/id777418945?mt=8
Sounds like a great book! And it’s about the Canucks!
would love to gift this to my Dad – he was a goalie:)
Sounds like a fun read. Well done Grant Lawrence!
Sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance!
https://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/420430576697356289
My husband would LOVE this book! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
This book looks like an interesting read!
Lots of history in that book – thanks for the giveaway!
Looks like a great read!
looks like a good read
Would love to read this book!
great cover! look forward to reading it!
It would be great reading the stories about the Canadian celebs.
My grandson is a goalie. This would be for him.
I would like to give this to my father as he loves reading books about hockey.
I retweeted
https://twitter.com/crazyladybibs/status/420750000528711680
Grant is so funny. Looking forward to reading his book!
Look forward to reading it!
I love hockey!!
Looks like a really fun read! My fingers are crossed 🙂
I’d love to win.
I would very much enjoy reading this book!
Loved his previous work. Would be great to win this one!
I’d love it.
It sounds interesting and its getting a lot of local coverage.
I loved his first book!
I would love to win this book! Good luck to me:)
Would love to read this book!
Great book for my Dad!
And tweet:
https://twitter.com/tanandjosh/status/422855677258649600
Would love the chance to win (and read)!
It would be most awesome to be able to read this, especially if I won it. Let the best ME win!