Derek Weiler pointed out in a Quill & Quire column last month that Yann Martel is still writing regular letters to Stephen Harper, complete with paperback books (sometimes second-hand ones), and miniature essays. Presumably these missives will someday get compiled and published in their own right.

Anyway, Martel's latest choice breaks a pattern: he's recommended a version of Gilgamesh, translated (in both the linguistic and chronological sense) by Canadian poet Derrek Hines. His choice before this one? Gilgamesh again, but a more old-fashioned modernization by Stephen Mitchell, an American. Even if you haven't read any Gilgameshes, the two book recommendations (1,2) contain a great sweep of references to story-telling old and new, and some good tips on getting a poetic buzz on. Worth a read.