Book Drives Toronto

Silent Bookclub Meeting #99

The next event is happening on Tuesday November 24, starting at 6PM in the Wellington Market Food Hall at The Well! We'll be meeting in front of the Nord Lyon in The Wellington Market (food court!) Please RSVP if you're planning on coming so we can plan appropriately!

Books Up November Meetup

**Books Up Circle** Join our monthly Books Up Circle! It is a relaxed, social gathering where we share our current reads, exchange recommendations, and meet fellow book lovers. **What to expect:** We’ll start with casual introductions and a little socializing, then take turns putting our books in the spotlight. **Bring a book you’re currently reading and give us your mini review:** 📚 What is it about? 💭 Why did you pick it up? ⭐ What are you enjoying or not? 👍 Would you recommend it? Who is it for? Give us a short synopsis and your honest take.. After each share, the circle can ask questions and chat about the book. Once everyone has shared, we’ll open things up for socializing, open conversations, and discovering our next great reads. **Comment below with the book you’re bringing!** 👇📖 Come with a book, leave with recommendations and maybe a few new bookish friends. ✨

November's Book: Wild Dark Shore

A family on a remote island. A mysterious woman washed ashore. A rising storm on the horizon. Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. Home to the world’s largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers, but with sea levels rising, the Salts are now its final inhabitants. Until, during the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman mysteriously washes ashore. Isolation has taken its toll on the Salts, but as they nurse the woman, Rowan, back to strength, it begins to feel like she might just be what they need. Rowan, long accustomed to protecting herself, starts imagining a future where she could belong to someone again. But Rowan isn’t telling the whole truth about why she set out for Shearwater. And when she discovers sabotaged radios and a freshly dug grave, she realizes Dominic is keeping his own secrets. As the storms on Shearwater gather force, they all must decide if they can trust each other enough to protect the precious seeds in their care before it’s too late—and if they can finally put the tragedies of the past behind them to create something new, together. A novel of breathtaking twists, dizzying beauty, and ferocious love, *Wild Dark Shore* is about the impossible choices we make to protect the people we love, even as the world around us disappears.

ABCD Reads Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

ABCD Reads ***Yesteryear*** by Caro Claire Burke. ([RESULTS](https://opavote.com/results/4849281772290048) of the poll for this event.) **:: ABOUT THE BOOK ::** "A traditional American woman, a beautiful wife and mother who sells her pioneer lifestyle of raw milk and farm-fresh eggs to her millions of social media followers, suddenly awakens cold, filthy, and terrified in the brutal reality of 1855—where she must unravel whether this living nightmare is an elaborate hoax, a twisted reality show, or something far more sinister." (from [BookMarks](https://bookmarks.reviews/reviews/yesteryear/)) "The chasm between social media and reality runs deep and dark in Caro Claire Burke’s debut novel, “Yesteryear,” which crawls into the psyche of a tradwife influencer so maddening and mesmerizing that Anne Hathaway has already signed on to play her in the movie adaptation. “Sometimes it actually made me sick,” Natalie Heller Mills narrates, “how perfect my life was, and how good I was at living it.” Note her use of the past tense." (from [New York Times Book Review](https://archive.ph/WHSQ6#selection-753.0-764.0)) **:: ABOUT THE EVENT ::** You are welcome to arrive 30 minutes before the event and stay 30 minutes or longer afterward to connect with other attendees outside the book talk. Please ensure you have read the book before attending (though finishing any book is not a barrier to participating, as long as you don't mind spoilers). First-time attendees can join for free. If the event is full, we maintain an unofficial waitlist. Please send [Michael](https://www.meetup.com/members/55295192/) a direct message for more information, in either case. We request a $3 contribution from regular attendees to help cover our monthly meetup costs. **:: ABOUT OUR NEXT BOOK ::** At the end of each event, we will ask for nominees for our next book. If you have a good one in mind, please ensure it is between 200-400 pages long, available from the Toronto Public Library, and counts as contemporary literary fiction (though these are not hard and fast rules). When enough nominees are collected, Michael will send the members a direct message with a link where you can vote.

Book Bar Toronto x BODA bookshop meet-cute

Want your own meet-cute moment - starting in a bookstore? Grab a ticket: **https://www.fatsoma.com/e/v19sdzp6/book-bar-toronto-x-boda-bookshop-meet-cute** Book Bar is hosting Toronto’s first Bored of Dating Apps singles night - an evening designed to bring people together in a way that feels natural, effortless, and actually enjoyable. Inspired by the charm of a 90s rom-com, this is a reimagined meet-cute moment set inside an intimate, thoughtfully designed bookstore. Expect organic conversations over wine, cocktails (or mocktails), books, and a room full of genuinely interesting people. No apps. No algorithms. No catfishing. No speed dating, no forced rotations, no awkward timers. Just good energy, meaningful connection, and a space designed to make meeting people feel easy again. Our hosts (think professional wingwomen) will be there throughout the night to welcome you, help spark conversations, and ensure the atmosphere stays comfortable, respectful, and fun for everyone. We’ve also built in a few thoughtful moments to make connecting feel more natural: – Bring a pre-loved book that made you laugh, cry, or think – Write a short handwritten note inside - something personal, or why you chose it – Gift your book to someone you’d like to continue the conversation with It’s a simple, intentional way to break the ice - and a little more memorable than exchanging numbers in your notes app. At its core, this night is about creating a space where people feel safe, open, and genuinely excited to meet someone new. Whether you’re looking to connect romantically, expand your circle, or just step outside the apps for a night - this is your invitation to try something different. No pressure. No expectations. Just the potential for something real. **Event Details** Time: 6:30pm – 10:30pm Ticket includes: $10 off your drink of choice **What to Expect** – A curated, intimate bookstore setting – A 90s rom-com inspired “meet-cute” atmosphere – Organic mingling and genuine conversation – Hosts to guide the energy (without pressure) – A respectful, welcoming environment – Thoughtful interaction moments throughout the evening **Need-to-Know** – Your ticket includes $10 off any beverage at the bar – Please bring a pre-loved book with a handwritten note inside – This event is designed for singles of all backgrounds and orientations – While we aim for a balanced mix of guests, we cannot guarantee gender ratios – All ticket sales are final (no refunds or transfers unless to the same ticket type) – By attending, you consent to photo and video capture for event and social use Questions? Feel free to DM us anytime or visit @boredofdatingapps We can’t wait to meet you.

Silent Writing/Reading #10

We will be meeting at the MaRS Discovery District (near Queen's Park Station), in the mezzanine area.

Ethan Frome

Ethan Frome was published in 1911 by Pulitzer Prize winning American author, Edith Wharton. Her novel explores a deterministic vision of the life of Ethan Frome. The main character, Ethan, is surrounded on all sides by adversity making his life barely sustainable. Random chance gives him the opportunity to find love and this opens his mind to the possibilities of life beyond what he's known. Can he go forward? Ultimately, Ethan will be forced to contend with the oppression of his circumstances. The novelist, Edith Wharton, is known as a realistic writer. Her themes revolve around the interplay between psychology and the cultural barriers of society. Ethan Frome is available at the Toronto Public Library, especially in e-book and audiobook formats. Additionally, a film has been made of this story and it's free on YouTube. The novel is 99 pages long, making it highly accessible. Free entrance to the Distillery until 4 p.m. on Nov. 29th!

Bookish Bi Reading Club

The almost nearly perfect people : the truth about the Nordic miracle

The Christian Science Monitor's #1 Best Book of the Year. A witty, informative, and popular travelogue about the Scandinavian countries and how they may not be as happy or as perfect as we assume, “*The Almost Nearly Perfect People* offers up the ideal mixture of intriguing and revealing facts” (Laura Miller, Salon). Journalist Michael Booth has lived among the Scandinavians for more than ten years, and he has grown increasingly frustrated with the rose-tinted view of this part of the world offered up by the Western media. In this timely book he leaves his adopted home of Denmark and embarks on a journey through all five of the Nordic countries to discover who these curious tribes are, the secrets of their success, and, most intriguing of all, what they think of one another. Why are the Danes so happy, despite having the highest taxes? Do the Finns really have the best education system? Are the Icelanders as feral as they sometimes appear? How are the Norwegians spending their fantastic oil wealth? And why do all of them hate the Swedes? In *The Almost Nearly Perfect People* Michael Booth explains who the Scandinavians are, how they differ and why, and what their quirks and foibles are, and he explores why these societies have become so successful and models for the world. Along the way a more nuanced, often darker picture emerges of a region plagued by taboos, characterized by suffocating parochialism, and populated by extremists of various shades. They may very well be almost nearly perfect, but it isn’t easy being Scandinavian. ═════ Discussion questions: TBD Facilitator: Andrii ═════ $$ Refundable deposit: We'd like to make sure everyone on the RSVP actually intends to join us and enjoy the event. Please make a **refundable** deposit of $5 to hold your spot, via Paypal or Interac e-transfer to [toronto.nonfiction@gmail.com](mailto:toronto.nonfiction@gmail.com), when you RSVP or shortly thereafter. If you are waitlisted please wait until a spot opens up for you before making a transfer. You'll get your $5 back in cash if you join us at the event. If you decide to drop out later or not attend, consider this a donation to support our meetup and zoom subscriptions, which aren't cheap. Thank you! ═════ Meeting format: * We meet to discuss the book after having read it beforehand. * A facilitator guides the discussion ensuring that everyone has a chance to speak, one person at a time. * Warning: Participation in a book club is a dangerous activity. You may encounter opinions different from yours. By joining the group you agree to assume all risks.

ABCD Watches "The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony" directed by Habiba Nosheen

You're invited to a screening at Hot Docs of ABCD Book Club member Habiba Nosheen's documentary ***[The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony](https://www.thegymnastsoffishermancolony.com/)***. Register for the event and I'll send you a ***code for 20% off tickets***. We'll meet up beforehand, and anyone interested can join us for drinks afterwards. *"The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony is an intimate coming-of-age documentary by three-time Emmy Award–winning filmmaker Habiba Nosheen that follows three teenage girls in Pakistan, offering a rare and tender portrait of girlhood, joy, and play told through the eyes of young Pakistani girls navigating the margins of society.* *At its core, The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony is a story of hope and quiet defiance. Through the intimate journeys of three teenagers we witness as their passion for gymnastics begins to clash with deeply rooted expectations around what girls can and cannot do. The film follows their journey as they find themselves straddling two polar opposite worlds as they push to make space for themselves through gymnastics. The result is a lyrical and deeply human portrait of three young girls from a corner of the world we rarely see on screen. These are girls who dare to dream."* (from the [Hot Docs](https://boxoffice.hotdocs.ca/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=658891~cf285ddd-dacb-4f18-89b8-1252c6dcffa6&epguid=a2104450-7e47-4369-a17d-c247570c3939&mdy=11/28/2026&) website)

Book Launch - Year's Best Canadian F&SF Vol 4

NOTE: This event is hosted by Bakka Phoenix Books and Stephen Kotowych, not TSFFW. Please reach out to them for further details. Attend the launch of Year's Best Canadian Fantasy & Science Fiction Vol 4 at Bakka Phoenix Books with us! Several TSFFW authors have stories and poems included in the anthology: Gillian Secord - the love song of house and lake R.H. Wesley - The Stone Played at Tengen J.Y. Zhang - From Dust Rachel A. Rosen - What If We Kissed While Sinking a Billionaire's Yacht? J.L. Thorpe - I Ain't Your Doll Face David Clink - Dragon Karaoke Fiona Moore - The Walled Garden They will have brief readings from the authors and book signings. Come secure your copy of the Aurora Award winning anthology series and celebrate with us!

Short Reads Social #17: Is nightlife dead? (Nov 11th)

or *Why does the club suck now?* \-\-\- Short-Read Socials are back! Come meet with like-minded and unlikeminded people to talk about the topic of the month. This time, we're thinking about **nightlife.** *Did gentrification, suburban living, and phones kill going out? Are people less social or does late-night socializing just look different? Was the club ever really that fun?* \-\-\- **We also might take a 'field trip' to a night club this week! If you want to join us, let us know numbers [here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSftOqbLk3cakMCvr1s8p5BBGBKgdqUcuZ61oU1AbFZhtqmQog/viewform?usp=publish-editor).** \-\-\- **How does it work?** * The event is casual. You can talk to anyone there with or without our prompt sheets, either about the month's topic or about whatever you want. * Open philosophical discussion, including for controversial topics, is welcome but be respectful. Every has had different experiences so aim to have good-faith discussions :) * If you've read/watched/heard anything related to the topic of the month, feel free to bring it in! Not necessarily physically, but you can if you want... * If not, here are some thought-provoking reads to start you off (read as many or as few as you want): * On the supposed death of nightlife: * [Gen Z Didn't Kill Nightlife](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmLO69c_fyw) * [The Death of Partying in the U.S.A.—and Why It Matters](https://www.derekthompson.org/p/the-death-of-partying-in-the-usaand) * [Who Killed the Late Night Diner?](https://www.themain.com/articles/late-night-dining-montreal-restaurants-closing-early) * Perhaps nightlife simply changed: * [How a Suburban Strip Mall Became a Buzzing Community Hub, and a Political Flashpoint](https://thelocal.to/mississauga-ridgeway-plaza-election-2026/) * [Nightlife Isn’t Dead. It’s Just Boring Now.](https://loopmag.co/nightlife-isnt-dead-its-just-boring-now/) * [The Real Reason Music's Gotten So Loud](https://archive.is/20131125162149/http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/11/the-real-reason-musics-gotten-so-loud/281707/#selection-1425.0-1425.38) * Feel free to post other recommendations (blogs, movies, tv episodes, video essays, etc.) in the comments! \-\-\- Finally, Short Read Socials have a 'pay what you can' policy. They'll always be free to attend--but if you've been having a good time with us and want to pass along a couple of bucks to help cover Meetup platform costs for future events, there is a contribution bucket on the table that night and a [Paypal](https://paypal.me/bookclubforhumans?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_US) link :)