Da Vinci Code

I am reading the Da Vinci code and as soon as I'm done will post a review here. The main reason I decided to finally read it is because it came out on massmarket paperback, so it's not heavy to carry around.
Also, I will soon write my rant about the Latin-Latino issue. No, really. I'll write it soon, I promise.

And the winner is...

Not that I remembered to actually listen to the Canada Reads debate on CBC Radio...

Musician John K. Samson was the winner of this year's debate, defending Miriam Toews' A Complicated Kindness. I really wish that I'd remembered to listen- I think the whole Canada Reads program is so cool. I'm such a book nerd- I know. Especially since I would've been able to consider the arguments more personally, seeing that we read Deafening a couple months ago (which I thought was excellent- good choice Erin- wherever you are!) Why didn't they broadcast it on television, like last year, I wonder? They need to make it as big a deal as like, Canadian Idol. Imagine that? It'd be cool if we could choose the books that were discussed. Books as popular as pop stars? LOL

I'd actually forgotten that Three Day Road was on the list for Canada Reads, also. I hope everyone enjoys it- I'm gonna start it soon, on this rainy Saturday.

Breakfast at... errr... dinner at Nestor and Tims!

The book club meeting last night was really good- thanks to new member Gabriella, some phenomenal bean burgers by Tim and entertainment provided by Baby, the fat cat with the sweetest smushiest face in the world!

The menu included martinis (of which Holly Golightly and the narrator shared prior to 11am on the morning of her arrest), apples (eaten by Holly at the beginning of the story) with peanut butter (sent to Holly's brother Fred in the army), burgers (because Holly and Mr. O'Shaughnessy always met at Burger Heaven) with tabouleh (uh- just because it goes good with burgers- it did have tomatoes in it- so there's the connection- Sally Tomatos are my favourite!), with lemon meringue pie for dessert (I really don't remember the connection there... but it was yummy!)

The book discussion went well I think. The only discussion questions I could find were here, so I skimmed through and asked the tougher ones, to keep the conversation going. I think my favourite question was, "What language is spoken in Brazil?" That sparked a whole other discussion on the words "Latino" and "Latina", and whether or not Nestor (who is Chilean) and Maria (Mexican) could be classified as such. Maria was infuriated, of course, since these aren't even real words!! Maria's so cute when she gets angry- she uses the eff word like it's a fluffy knee-high moccasin (going out of style)!

All in all, another successful book club meeting. Next month's book is my pick- FINALLY! I chose Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden. I've been wanting to read this book for a while, and when I saw that it was out in paper back already, I figured I'd suggest it!

Union Station by Joe Fiorito

One of the best books I've read that features Toronto is The Song Beneath the Ice, by Joe Fiorito. It is just amazing, I really recommend that everyone reads it. He always writes about Toronto and the way he explains the city, by how it sounds, is just amazing.
Now his most recent book, Union Station, is out. This time it's not a novel, but a collection of stories, again about Toronto. I am really looking forward to put my hands on this one.

Movie Night... Capote and Breakfast at Tiffany's

Hiya!

I'm planning on renting Capote and Breakfast at Tiffany's this Saturday night, so I can be all knowledgable and whatnot for the meeting on Wednesday. If anyone wants to join me, come on over!!

Also, who's bringing what for dinner on Wednesday? Is there a grocery store within walking distance of your place, Nes?

I can't wait to see the fat cat. I should I say.... pudgy goodness?

This Is Not A Reading Series presents...

April 20th -- Conservationist TIM FLANNERY in conversation with BOB McDONALD on the dangers of climate change @ OISE Auditorium... $5

April 26 -- Comics artists HARVEY PEKAR, JESSICA ABEL & MATT MADDEN with SPACE Producer MARK ASKWITH @ Innis Town Hall... $5

April 27 -- DR SHIRIN EBADI, 2003 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, in conversation with TINA SREBOTNJAK @ OISE Auditorium... $5