A Book About Friendship: Picks for the TPL Reading Challenge 2023
What a wonderful way to begin the year 2023 than with the category “A book about friendship”. While most friendships thrive and may even last a lifetime, there are a few that do not run a smooth course. Well, friends do not come in a one-size-fits-all format. It is but...
New & Upcoming Indigenous Books: Winter 2023 Edition
Winter is one of the best times to slow down, keep warm and share stories. Check out these new and upcoming releases by Indigenous authors from January to March 2023! Where possible for Indigenous authors and illustrators, I have included their nation next to their name in brackets. Books for...
100 Years of Judith Merril, Science Fiction Writer and Editor
Judith Merril was born on January 21, 1923. This year would have been her 100th birthday. She passed away in 1997, but she left an immense impact on the world of science fiction, speculation and fantasy. Merril was a fan, author, editor, critic and mentor. She published four novels, over...
TPL Reading Challenge 2022: A Year in Review
Another year has passed and another Reading Challenge has ended. Since passionate readers don't really take breaks, the 2023 Reading Challenge is already underway. 2022 was a great year so let's do a brief round up. Last year, we hosted 12 Reading Challenge events that were viewed by 362 people....
The Cookbooks of 2022: Critics Picks
For the past several years, I've scoured annual critics' choices for books and compiled a list of the cookbooks that were mentioned most frequently. Each year these book lists provide a tiny snapshot of the world through books about food. For example, in 2020, the list was all about baking,...
Indigenous Science Fiction
January 2 every year is National Science Fiction Day. Science Fiction is “a form of fiction that deals … with the impact of actual or imagined science upon society or individuals.” Starting around the time of the Industrial Revolution, some well-known authors in science fiction include H.G. Wells, Jules Verne...
In Memoriam: Authors Who Passed Away in 2022
Award shows often take a solemn moment during their telecasts for a video tribute “in memoriam” to those of their colleagues who have died in the previous year. It’s an opportunity to remember contributors to their industry who may have given delight years ago – “I didn’t even know they...
New & Upcoming Indigenous Books: Fall 2022 Edition
Fall is coming to a close, and snow has begun to blanket the ground. Check out these titles that came out during the fall season by Indigenous authors across Turtle Island. This is just a small selection of books that have come out since September 2022. Please note, if an...
Diverse Holiday Romances
"It's the most romantic time of the year!" Ok, that's not actually how the song goes but, for many people, there's something inherently romantic about this time of year. The sparkling lights, the coziness of a roaring fire, the sense of anticipation in the air. It all adds up to...
What Toronto Read in 2022 : Children's Books
If you were looking for a laugh this past year, our most popular books for children would have been a good place to start. Six of the ten biggest series/authors from the past year are funny, followed by three fantasy series. Comics and graphic novels continue to be popular with...