Annex Books

This is my friend Janet. She's very dear to me. For the past couple of decades she has run the best antiquarian bookshop in Toronto, Annex Books. In its own quiet way, her store has been a significant hub of Canadian literature. It's a place where writers go when they need something to read, or when they need inspiration, or when they need to chat with Janet, whose advice is always honest, from the heart, and (usually) dead-on correct, even when it's not what you want to hear. And for a handful of those years I was lucky enough to work there with her, and even luckier to have been given the title "Annex Books Poet in Residence."

I am sad to say that Annex Books will be closing at the end of 2006. The Toronto Star has a piece about it. She’s having a big sale. Everything under $100 is half price. So go there and get some Christmas shopping done.

Thank you, Janet. For everything. I owe you more than I will ever be able to repay.