Last week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said it wasn’t the time to “commit sociology” when questioned about a thwarted bombing on a Via Rail train.

His comment has caused a bit of a stir. And while his use of this odd term might be mere overreach on the part of his communications handlers, it clearly belittles and demeans anyone’s attempt to actually come to grips with an issue rather than rely on pre-programmed responses based on racism and fear.

When she puts on the gown, she goes from being Julie, who can talk about anything, to being a patient, who is a condition.

That condition is ulcerative colitis. It kicked her ass but she kicked right back, transforming her struggle with her health – and with our health care system – into a chance for healing and transformation of both. She’s impressive, to say the least.

Julie has told her story to over 80 conferences and events across the country, from medical societies to Marxist gatherings.

Every year on April 6, Octopus Books marks the occasion of our dear Elliot’s birthday with a super sale of 30% off everything.

And every year around this time we mark 20% off all kids books.

And then of course we also have the one and only Elliot Extravaganza, a festival dedicated to celebrating Elliot and all things kid. We have story time, and cake, and every kid gets a free book. This year the Extravaganza is on Saturday, April 20.

Last week we teamed up with Centretown United Church and Random House Canada to host a cozy event with David Suzuki, Jeff Rubin and over 500 of our closest friends.

It was our largest event – ever. That is, until tonight’s looming blockbuster, with Thomas King (tickets are sold out!).

The Eco Tour produced a lovely evening of discussion, passion and laughter. And then there were our speakers!

David Suzuki: environmentalist, author, broadcaster and troublemaker.

Octopus Books is proud to do its part to make our community more welcoming and inclusive for youth who are GLBTTQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans, Two-Spirit, and Questioning).

That's why we're attending today's meeting of the Rainbow Youth Forum, held in collaboration with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the GLBTTQ Youth Service Providers Network, a network of community agencies who promote inclusive services for GLBTTQ youth. 

Happy New Year everyone!

The Octopus wishes its friends, customers, neighbours and colleagues a Happy New Year and best wishes for 2013. May your year be full of learning, light, love and the radical transformation of society as we know it.

If not radical transformation, we’d settle for major reforms pending revolution.

If not reform, or revolution, then we’d settle for seeing the end of the Stephen Harper Government.

You get the idea.

Welcome to 2013!

The relentless campaign waged by Ottawa residents to rid the city of its remaining independent bookstores has claimed another victory!

Last week Octopus hosted the kind of event where you say to yourself, yeah, this is what it’s all about.

We hosted a “dialogue and debate” about Canadian development NGOs at our location at Under One Roof, inspired by the hard-hitting book, Paved With Good Intentions: Canadian development NGOs from idealism to imperialism, by Nikolas Barry-Shaw and Dru Oja Jay.

Over 80 passionate and informed people came out to participate in one of the most engaged and wide ranging discussions we’ve hosted to date.

Okay. "Black Friday".

Another creeping vine of America's deathgrip on Canadian society. Another corporate consumer culture poleaxe in our spiritual spines. Another debt-driven frenzy whipped up by multinational chain stores to separate us peasants from our money.

Octopus Books is a small business that used to be run as a collective. We were asked recently whether our progressive values were still intact or whether they had changed.

In which we confess we're feeling a little hopeful. It must be all the empowered action we're taking.

We were completely overwhelmed by the support of all those who attended and we were able to raise just under $1000!    

Here's why we chose to donate to Liberia (for those of you who did not attend an event last year).

Better late than never... If you missed our August 26 event We All Have A Right To The Truth or want to refresh your memory, you can finally watch the presentations and Q & A session at: