Real Book Clubs

The Toronto Reading Series Group love to talk about book clubs. Every member of TRS belongs to very different bookclubs. SJ, our creative power source, belongs to a book club where it is reported they are learning how to drink and read at the same time. Hil is a long time member of a club that moves from resto to resto. All report that they read way too many sad and serious books and that often that night's 'leader' is totally unprepared thus often feel disappointed. We're thinking there has to be a better way. Thus, TRS all read with great fascination about a book club known in the Globe and Mail as Blythe Book Clubs (no website but email at blythebookclubs@sympatico.ca... we kind of like this no website for a book club thing....glad they're too busy reading books to do website stuff) Yes...back to the book club. We spied an advert for it in the Globe and Mail National Personals...always an interesting read on a Saturday a.m. .. this club seems to be dedicated to reading books that inspire "laughing and thinking" and it is catered. We like that part a lot. Years ago we recall hearing Ian Brown literati bon vivant, talk about how important humour was to literature and life and writing and the arts (especially important to ordinary Canadians who love the arts) We were wondering if this bookclub was connected to him in any way....hmmm. TRS shall investigate Blythe Book Clubs a bit further...sounds to tempting to allow to lie fallow.
The Donna Morrissey read earned the weekend book of the month award. Way to go Donna. Watership Down remains a solid read, particularly given our current eco debates. Green shift...pay now or pay later. It's the same thing as public education - try life without it.
Best
TRS Group

Book Talk

Today launched a new CBC Radio One afternoon programme: The Next Chapter. It started in great style: Shelagh Rogers is back as the host in relaxed and intelligent conversations with authors, readers, bookstore people and all those 'ordinary Canadians' who love literature, reading and books. Rogers, has learned, if we may say so, the art of the pause in an interview... giving the subject time to think, to reflect on the questions. Her colleague Wachtel is a Pause Artiste. It makes for very very meaningful radio. The opener with Donna Morrissey was terrific as they drove around Donna's childhood haunts in Newfoundland. The conversation was authentic and spontaneous. Listening to Morrissey as she moved in her memories was poignant and meaningful: I kept thinking - no wonder this person became a writer. By the way, The Globe and Mail ran a review today written by De Soto on her latest novel What They Wanted. One of the TRS group has just started it and is reportedly loving the voice. De Soto gushed to put it mildly. Morrissey teaches at Memorial U when not writing (probably still can't make enough $$$ writing in Canada which is not an unusual story. More on this later.) and thus will not be with the TRS this fall...but stay tuned. We're still hoping.
Rogers also interviewed Richard Florida who spoke about his new work Who's Your City? Gee, it sure was a darn pity that old blue (snake) eyes himself Stephen Harper had not been part of that conversation. Richard Florida spoke about the cultural economy and how that defines where people choose to live and how that defines where the economy grows. Not the other way around, Stephen. But then, I am just an ordinary Canadian, so what do I know??? I do know that Florida writes just as he speaks: with an ease and passion that engage you immediately.
What a pleasure The Next Chapter is. Perfect for a Saturday afternoon. Looking forward to many more. Well done CBC, Rogers et al.
Returning to that new phrase "Ordinary Canadian." Give a listen to the latest on Jian Ghomeshi show, Q also on CBC Radio One. Check out his pod cast from Wednesday September 24 and Thursday September 25. Great discussions about the cultural economy and cultural infrastructure (love that term) regarding the short sighted, wrong headed, philistine-like tax cuts to the arts. Very very interesting arguments and engaging listening.
TRS people are tucked in for a rainy weekend with our books: Shanghai, What they Wanted and Watership Down.
More to come...
TRS Group (we're a group, not a team...we don't wear uniforms or big sox, chant or throw things. We don't view life, work, anything as a win or lose game. It's all life...or Life)

Authors Authors Authors

The Toronto Reading Series is excited to announce their fall lineup.
Tuesday November 18 at Commensal Restaurant the Toronto Reading Series celebrates and explores friendship in all its shapes and guises over the centuries.
We open the evening with R. Scott Baker's thriller Neuropathy (Penguin Canada) And what a tale of terror it is. Two friends reunite to discover that their careers have taken strange and frightening twists that strain the friendship and test the moral strengths of each man. Surprising, terrifying and all too credible.
Then Giller Nominee Edeet Ravel joins us to read from Your Sweet Eyes and Unforgettable Mouth.(Penguin Canada) When two young women meet at a cleaners they learn that they share much history, but as their friendship deepens, they come to discover that their interpretation of that history is very different. Will their friendship bear the pressure of these differences. A moving and deeply poignant exploration of what a friendship means in the light of the past that shapes it.
The evening will close with the latest blockbuster from David Rotenberg, Shanghai (Penguin Canada) This is without doubt, the perfect read for a chilly fall weekend by a roaring fire. Two rival families tumble through history unaware that their children will shape one of the greatest cities in the world, Shanghai.
The Toronto Reading Series is off to a terrific start.
Tickets are just $5.00 for the evening...an event not to be missed.
Get your tickets at Commensal or Ryerson U bookstore...where you can pick up your novels for signing.

Pop back here again for detailed backgrounders on our authors' previous works and reviews.
Toronto Reading Series - Enlightened Entertainment

Welcome

Welcome to the Toronto Reading Series - enlightened entertainment.
We bring great authors to great restaurants for great readers....like you!
Toronto Reading Series launch season begins November 18 at 7:00pm at the beautiful and delicious Commensal Restaurant...entrance off Elms Streeet, right between Bay and Yonge.
And there is free parking!! How great is that - great food, great authors, and all within easy reach.
Welcome!
The Toronto Reading Series