Book Clubs Toronto

📚 In Good Company: Books, Coffee & Conversation

**📖**☕🌿**A Saturday morning gathering over Coffee & Book discussion.** After a little break, I'm looking forward to bringing our book gatherings back! This time, we're trying a new location — the beautiful Toronto Reference Library. Bring a book you love, are currently reading, or have been curious about for a while. We'll share recommendations, exchange ideas and enjoy a relaxed Saturday morning in good company. I might prepare a few discussion prompts for this event as well. There's no reading list or preparation needed, and new faces are always welcome. **📍 Where:** Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street, main floor **🕦 When:** Saturday, 11:30 am–1:00 pm **📚 A little about the location:** I'll arrive earlier and do my best to find a large table where we can sit together. As this is our first gathering here, seating will depend on availability, so a little flexibility may be needed. Look for a small *In Good Company* sign on the main floor. I will post an update with the photo once I'm seated somewhere. ☕There's also a lovely café inside the library if you'd like to pick up a drink beforehand and bring it inside. **A small favour:** As places are limited, please update your RSVP if your plans change so someone else can join. Looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and meeting new ones! 🌿

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.

November Meetup: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

Book Description: One spring morning, a stranger arrives in the small southern city of Golden. No one knows where he has come from…or why… His name is Theo. And he asks a lot more questions than he answers. Theo visits the local coffeehouse, where ninety-two pencil portraits hang on the walls, portraits of the people of Golden done by a local artist. He begins purchasing them, one at a time, and putting them back in the hands of their “rightful owners.” With each exchange, a story is told, a friendship born, and a life altered. A story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen, Theo of Golden is a beautifully crafted novel about the power of creative generosity, the importance of wonder to a purposeful life, and the invisible threads of kindness that bind us to one another.

Holiday Book Exchange & December's Book: Don't Let Him In

**We'll be doing our annual holiday book exchange! Please bring a wrapped book (new or gently used), with a few words of description written on the outside. This is optional, but it's a fun way to get a book you never might have picked up.** Don't Let Him In: Three women are connected by one man in this kaleidoscopic thriller. He’s the perfect man. It’s a perfect lie. Nina Swann is intrigued when she received a condolence card from Nick Radcliffe, an old friend of her late husband, who is looking to connect after her husband’s unexpected death. Nick is a man of substance and good taste. He has a smile that could melt the coldest heart and a knack for putting others at ease. But to Nina’s adult daughter, Ash, Nick seems too slick, too polished, too good to be true. Without telling her mother, Ash begins digging into Nick’s past. What she finds is more than unsettling… Martha is a florist living in a neighboring town with her infant daughter and her devoted husband, Alistair. But lately, Alistair has been traveling more and more frequently for work, disappearing for days at a time. When Martha questions him about his frequent absences, he always has a legitimate explanation, but Martha can’t share the feeling that something isn’t right. Nina, Martha, and Ash are on a collision course with a shocking truth that is far darker than anyone could have imagined. And all three are about to wish they had heeded the same warning: Don’t let him in. But the past won’t stay buried forever.

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.

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.

Ethan Frome

Ethan Frome was published in 1911 by Pulitzer Prize winning American author, Edith Warton. 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 Warton, 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.

OSC #7 - Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid

**Welcome to November's meetup, our chosen book is Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid.** **To ensure spots go to engaged members, RSVPs for this event will open two weeks before the date.** The first 30 minutes of the event is open social time while we allow attendees to arrive. The book discussion will begin at 8:00 PM. At the end of the meetup, we will accept nominations for the next book. We encourage attendees to stay afterwards and chat if they would like to as well. This is the second book in a series. Reading the first book isn't required, but it may help with context and understanding of the characters/world. **"Heated Rivalry" by Rachel Reid** "Pro hockey star Shane Hollander isn’t just crazy talented, he’s got a spotless reputation. Hockey is his life. Now that he’s captain of the Montreal Voyageurs, he won’t let anything jeopardize that, especially the sexy Russian whose hard body keeps him awake at night. Boston Bears captain Ilya Rozanov is everything Shane’s not. The self-proclaimed king of the ice, he’s as cocky as he is talented. No one can beat him—except Shane. They’ve made a career on their legendary rivalry, but when the skates come off, the heat between them is undeniable. When Ilya realizes he wants more than a few secret hookups, he knows he must walk away. The risk is too great. As their attraction intensifies, they struggle to keep their relationship out of the public eye. If the truth comes out, it could ruin them both. But when their need for each other rivals their ambition on the ice, secrecy is no longer an option…"

The worlds I see : curiosity, exploration, and discovery at the dawn of AI

One of Barack Obama's recommended books on AI. Financial Times Best Books of 2023. From Dr. Fei-Fei Li, one of TIME's 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL in AI, comes "a powerful plea for keeping humanity at the centre of our latest technological transformation" (Financial Times). Wired called Dr. Fei-Fei Li “one of a tiny group of scientist — a group perhaps small enough to fit around a kitchen table— who are responsible for AI’s recent remarkable advances.” Known to the world as the creator of ImageNet, a key catalyst of modern artificial intelligence, Dr. Li has spent more than two decades at the forefront of the field. But her career in science was improbable from the start. As immigrants, her family faced a difficult transition from China’s middle class to American poverty. And their lives were made all the harder as they struggled to care for her ailing mother, who was working tirelessly to help them all gain a foothold in their new land. Fei-Fei’s adolescent knack for physics endured, however, and positioned her to make a crucial contribution to the breakthrough we now call AI, placing her at the center of a global transformation. Over the last decades, her work has brought her face-to-face with the extraordinary possibilities—and the extraordinary dangers—of the technology she loves. *The Worlds I See* is a story of science in the first person, documenting one of the century’s defining moments from the inside. It provides a riveting story of a scientist at work and a thrillingly clear explanation of what artificial intelligence actually is—and how it came to be. Emotionally raw and intellectually uncompromising, this book is a testament not only to the passion required for even the most technical scholarship but also to the curiosity forever at its heart. ═════ 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.

📚December’s Book: The Nightingale

❄️📚 December Book Club: The Nightingale 📚❄️ Join us for a cozy December evening as we discuss The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. We’ll chat about the unforgettable characters, sisterhood, courage, love, and the choices people make during extraordinary times—all over good food, drinks, and great conversation. 🤍✨ Come ready for a thoughtful discussion, a little holiday coziness, and plenty of bookish girl talk! 🕯️📖☕

Friday night dinner at Cafe Renee

DLC November Meeting: Theo of Golden, Allen Levi

The Downtown Literary Collective's March book pick is Theo of Golden: A Novel, by Allen Levi. *Theo visits the local coffeehouse, where ninety-two pencil portraits hang on the walls, portraits of the people of Golden done by a local artist. He begins purchasing them, one at a time, and putting them back in the hands of their “rightful owners.” With each exchange, a story is told, a friendship born, and a life altered.* Join us at Pauper's Pub (539 Bloor St. West in the Annex) for food and a great book discussion, 2-4pm. New members welcome. We are a small group of women in our late 30s and 40s who have been meeting consistently every second Sunday of the month for many years. If you're looking for a great little book club to join, come and check us out! Also, you can find us on FB under The Downtown Literary Collective.