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Book Week: Grant Lawrence

Comments 37 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Canadian 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.

lonleyendoftherinkIn 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)
RT to enter to win copy of @GrantLawrence’s #thelonelyendoftherink from @DMPublishers + @Miss604 http://ow.ly/sqCMx

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

  1. SaraMonday, January 6th, 2014 — 11:55am PST

    I’m really looking forward to reading this one. His first book was fantastic!

  2. JonathanMonday, January 6th, 2014 — 12:26pm PST

    Would love to win this book. Father of three hockey playing boys and huge canadian music fan…

  3. KamMonday, January 6th, 2014 — 3:38pm PST

    Sounds like a fun read + it’s about hockey!!!!

  4. GrayMonday, January 6th, 2014 — 3:43pm PST

    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!

  5. joyMonday, January 6th, 2014 — 3:49pm PST

    Would love a chance-thanks !

  6. MedjaMonday, January 6th, 2014 — 3:49pm PST

    Just read an excerpt from this book in the CBC magazine: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/cbc-music-magazine/id777418945?mt=8

  7. JeffMonday, January 6th, 2014 — 8:22pm PST

    Sounds like a great book! And it’s about the Canucks!

  8. katie borrettMonday, January 6th, 2014 — 8:26pm PST

    would love to gift this to my Dad – he was a goalie:)

  9. Iris @muckymooMonday, January 6th, 2014 — 8:42pm PST

    Sounds like a fun read. Well done Grant Lawrence!

  10. Anne TaylorMonday, January 6th, 2014 — 9:43pm PST

    Sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance!

  11. Anne TaylorMonday, January 6th, 2014 — 9:44pm PST

    https://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/420430576697356289

  12. KristaMonday, January 6th, 2014 — 10:52pm PST

    My husband would LOVE this book! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

  13. Sara DTuesday, January 7th, 2014 — 6:08am PST

    This book looks like an interesting read!

  14. Serena DeboltTuesday, January 7th, 2014 — 8:28am PST

    Lots of history in that book – thanks for the giveaway!

  15. SharonTuesday, January 7th, 2014 — 10:09am PST

    Looks like a great read!

  16. michael hTuesday, January 7th, 2014 — 10:21am PST

    looks like a good read

  17. JenniferTuesday, January 7th, 2014 — 10:47am PST

    Would love to read this book!

  18. jordanTuesday, January 7th, 2014 — 11:50am PST

    great cover! look forward to reading it!

  19. ShelleyTuesday, January 7th, 2014 — 2:49pm PST

    It would be great reading the stories about the Canadian celebs.

  20. Anne DerkatTuesday, January 7th, 2014 — 5:31pm PST

    My grandson is a goalie. This would be for him.

  21. AngieTuesday, January 7th, 2014 — 6:53pm PST

    I would like to give this to my father as he loves reading books about hockey.

  22. AngieTuesday, January 7th, 2014 — 6:54pm PST

    I retweeted
    https://twitter.com/crazyladybibs/status/420750000528711680

  23. AmWednesday, January 8th, 2014 — 7:19am PST

    Grant is so funny. Looking forward to reading his book!

  24. SeanWednesday, January 8th, 2014 — 11:46am PST

    Look forward to reading it!

  25. KellyThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 1:35am PST

    I love hockey!!

  26. JohnThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 11:17am PST

    Looks like a really fun read! My fingers are crossed 🙂

  27. Teresa KThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 11:53am PST

    I’d love to win.

  28. Wanda BergmanThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 7:38pm PST

    I would very much enjoy reading this book!

  29. MichelleThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 9:29pm PST

    Loved his previous work. Would be great to win this one!

  30. AlisaFriday, January 10th, 2014 — 11:38am PST

    I’d love it.

  31. JeffSunday, January 12th, 2014 — 8:56am PST

    It sounds interesting and its getting a lot of local coverage.

  32. Angela MitchellSunday, January 12th, 2014 — 10:22pm PST

    I loved his first book!

  33. MartaMonday, January 13th, 2014 — 12:57am PST

    I would love to win this book! Good luck to me:)

  34. MeganMonday, January 13th, 2014 — 11:37am PST

    Would love to read this book!

  35. TanisMonday, January 13th, 2014 — 2:20pm PST

    Great book for my Dad!

    And tweet:

    https://twitter.com/tanandjosh/status/422855677258649600

  36. Shannon MolnarMonday, January 13th, 2014 — 4:30pm PST

    Would love the chance to win (and read)!

  37. ChrisSunday, February 9th, 2014 — 11:56am PST

    It would be most awesome to be able to read this, especially if I won it. Let the best ME win!

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