Our June Edition

Matchbook Book Club presents:  The June Edition   Dear Members, I hope that everyone has been doing very well this month! With the coming of June means that summertime weather is here to stay. June has always had a special place in my heart for two reasons: my birthday (eeek!) and our book club's THIRD anniversary!! It seems like it was almost yesterday that we have all met for the first time on a warm afternoon in Yorkville. And since then, you have continued to make this book club a bright haven for all things bookish and full of laughter. We have shared a lot of discussions and happy memories together- not to mention trying interesting restaurants along the way! So I would like to say a warm thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you all: you have made Matchbook the best book club a bookworm could ever dream of. Here's to more wonderful memories! Cheers, Joanne  From left to right: Eric, Emily, Stephanie, Joanne, Jennifer, Lauren, Shirley Photo taker: JoAnn   A big thanks to all that turned up over the long weekend! We discussed our latest read, Frog Music by Emma Donoghue. From our discussions,  it seemed that this book was a miss. While the writing was good, the characters seem to be forgettable and at times, irritable (Blanche anyone?). We all agreed that  Jenny was a character we would much rather know more of, especially with her mysterious past. However, there were interesting passages in between but overall, would we re-read Frog Music? Probably not! This month's theme was The Book You Pretended To Read- great reaction from all of you! It was very fun playing around with this theme! As per tradition, we threw in everyone's picks in a hat (thanks to Shirley for lending us her cap!) and our selection for this month is: Summary: In a city under siege, four people whose lives have been upended are ultimately reminded of what it is to be human. From his window, a musician sees twenty-two of his friends and neighbors waiting in a breadline. Then, in a flash, they are killed by a mortar attack. In an act of defiance, the man picks up his cello and decides to play at the site of the shelling for twenty-two days, honoring their memory. Elsewhere, a young man leaves home to collect drinking water for his family and, in the face of danger, must weigh the value of generosity against selfish survivalism. A third man, older, sets off in search of bread and distraction and instead runs into a long-ago friend who reminds him of the city he thought he had lost, and the man he once was. As both men are drawn into the orbit of cello music, a fourth character- a young woman, a sniper- holds the fate of the cellist in her hands. As she protects him with her life, her own army prepares to challenge the kind of person she has become. A novel of great intensity and power, and inspired by a true story, The Cellist of Sarajevo poignantly explores how war can change one's definition of humanity, the effect of music on our emotional endurance, and how a romance with the rituals of daily life can itself be a form of resistance. Oh boy, this book seems to be quite promising: I can't wait to hear everyone's thoughts on the book! Happy reading! Saying goodbye to: Maya Angelou "When we decide to be happy we accept the responsibility to bring happiness to someone else."

Our May Edition

The May Edition Theme: The Unexpected Dear Members, I hope everyone is doing well! While we say goodbye to the last remaining traces of snow, we can now look towards longer, brighter days. And yes, while we may face more showers the next couples of months, you know the old saying... It was only fitting that this month's theme aimed at titles that carried a sense of the unexpected. Whether it's titles you would normally overlook in the bookstore or discovering characters with bite, it's time to take a leap and see where it might lead us...for better or for worse! I'm looking forward to many events that will take place in store for us! Whether it be travel, or trying something new on your to-do list, let this be a month of fulfillment. See you all at the next meeting! Joanne Meeting Update A huge thank you to everybody who turned up to our previous meeting! Brunching at Wind Up Bird Cafe was a success! Wonderful items on the menu, and great service. A great place to go with family and friends. We discussed our previous pick, The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. What a lively discussion! Characters like Sarah and Hattie made an impact on how we felt for their lives and the horrors of slavery allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of the injustice that was taking place at the time. The book was a fast read- we found ourselves jumping onto the next chapter! Overall, everyone agreed that this was a book that we would highly recommend to someone else! Our members have voted, and this month's selection is:  Summary: Summer of 1876: San Francisco is in the fierce grip of a record-breaking heat wave and a smallpox epidemic. Through the window of a railroad saloon, a young woman named Jenny Bonnet is shot dead.  The survivor, her friend Blanche Beunon, is a French burlesque dancer. Over the next three days, she will risk everything to bring Jenny's murderer to justice--if he doesn't track her down first. The story Blanche struggles to piece together is one of free-love bohemians, desperate paupers, and arrogant millionaires; of jealous men, icy women, and damaged children. It's the secret life of Jenny herself, a notorious character who breaks the law every morning by getting dressed: a charmer as slippery as the frogs she hunts. In thrilling, cinematic style, FROG MUSIC digs up a long-forgotten, never-solved crime. Full of songs that migrated across the world, Emma Donoghue's lyrical tale of love and bloodshed among lowlifes captures the pulse of a boomtown like no other. FUTURE EVENT Our next meeting will be taking place during the middle of May. Vote here on the Doodle for best availability. For location, in light with our theme, I figured we'd try another new place:Museum Tavern for lunch! EVENTS IN T.O May 10 Lo and behold, the Toronto Flower Market returns once more! With breathtaking selections, and a beautiful atmosphere, you're sure to pick up a bouquet or two! May 2-4 Jane's Walk is a movement of free, locally led walking tours inspired by Jane Jacobs. The walks get people to explore their cities and connect with neighbors. On now (click image for more info):

Our April Selection

Dear Members, Weather-wise, it looks like we're going to be in a long hull. Never fret, for the coming of April means May, and the coming of May means June, which signifies that summer will return!!! So keep holding on, and in the meantime we've got some great Spring reads coming up, beginning with our latest book club pick. Thank you to everyone who came out for brunch at The Rivoli on Sunday. It was wonderful to catch up and to talk about our previous pick, The Flamethrowers by Rachel Kushner. Overall, if asked how we would like the book, we would honestly have picked the Goodreads vote of an  "it was okay" stance. Well-written, well-informed as this place takes place in the 1970s between Italy, New York City and spaces in between. Some of the characters were hard to love, while others such as Sandro's father, wished that there were more elaboration of his part. We all agreed that reading this book needed a certain mentality to sift through. The author certainly gives the book a certain personal touch, which is obvious when she writes about art, New York City, and bikes. See you next month!

This Month's Selection! Thank you to everyone who submitted their votes! It was close tie with The Good Luck of Right Now.With a very high rating on Goodreads and praise from many individuals including Oprah (it's not only her book club that's making The Invention of Wings their pick!) one things's for sure: it needs aMatchbook seal of approval! Happy reading! Summary: Hetty "Handful” Grimke, an urban slave in early nineteenth century Charleston, yearns for life beyond the suffocating walls that enclose her within the wealthy Grimke household. The Grimke’s daughter, Sarah, has known from an early age she is meant to do something large in the world, but she is hemmed in by the limits imposed on women. Kidd’s sweeping novel is set in motion on Sarah’s eleventh birthday, when she is given ownership of ten year old Handful, who is to be her handmaid.We follow their remarkable journeys over the next thirty-five years, as both strive for a life of their own, dramatically shaping each other’s destinies and forming a complex relationship marked by guilt, defiance, estrangement and the uneasy ways of love. As the stories build to a riveting climax, Handful will endure loss and sorrow, finding courage and a sense of self in the process. Sarah will experience crushed hopes, betrayal, unrequited love, and ostracism before leaving Charleston to find her place alongside her fearless younger sister, Angelina, as one of the early pioneers in the abolition and women’s rights movements. Inspired by the historical figure of Sarah Grimke, Kidd goes beyond the record to flesh out the rich interior lives of all of her characters, both real and invented, including Handful’s cunning mother, Charlotte, who courts danger in her search for something better. This exquisitely written novel is a triumph of storytelling that looks with unswerving eyes at a devastating wound in American history, through women whose struggles for liberation, empowerment, and expression will leave no reader unmoved.

Book Swap! Our next meeting will commence this season's Book Swap! Just in time to do some Spring cleaning for your bookshelves...and acquire some new reads! I have an extra copy of Rene Denfeld's The Enchanted to give away as well as some other reads I would like to share with you all. Everyone is welcome to contribute!

Our March Selection

“Is the spring coming?" he said. "What is it like?"

"It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine...” 

-Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

Dear Members,

I hope everyone is enjoying their start to the week! I welcome March with open arms because the signs of Spring is not too far away- hard to believe at the moment, but each day we are getting closer!
A huge thanks to everyone who attended our last book club meeting which took place on a bright Saturday afternoon at Panera Bread. It was a lively discussion with talks about travel, food and all things Italy. One thing's for sure: if any of us wins the lottery, our book club will be going on a very lovely vacation!

Our recent book club pick, A Thousand Days in Tuscany by Marlena de Blasi, received positive feedback from the members. She writes really well, but we all agreed on the fact that the way she writes is very much in the way of a food critic. How she described the Italian cuisine throughout the book was so good, it left us in a constant state of hunger - it was nice to have an armchair vacation to the Tuscan landscape amidst the frigid conditions outside!

This month's pick:

Thanks to everyone for submitting their member's choice picks: during our last meeting, we drew our next pick out of a toque (most fitting!) and it was Lauren's choice!

 

Summary: The year is 1975 and Reno—so-called because of the place of her birth—has come to New York intent on turning her fascination with motorcycles and speed into art. Her arrival coincides with an explosion of activity in the art world—artists have colonized a deserted and industrial SoHo, are staging actions in the East Village, and are blurring the line between life and art. Reno meets a group of dreamers and raconteurs who submit her to a sentimental education of sorts. Ardent, vulnerable, and bold, she begins an affair with an artist named Sandro Valera, the semi-estranged scion of an Italian tire and motorcycle empire. When they visit Sandro’s family home in Italy, Reno falls in with members of the radical movement that overtook Italy in the seventies. Betrayal sends her reeling into a clandestine undertow.

The Flamethrowers is an intensely engaging exploration of the mystique of the feminine, the fake, the terrorist. At its center is Kushner’s brilliantly realized protagonist, a young woman on the verge. Thrilling and fearless, this is a major American novel from a writer of spectacular talent and imagination.

Events:

Matchbook Movie Night

Our previous movie night with the book club members watching The Book Thief was incredibly fun, and I hope to revive that once again this season! Films to select are:

The Grand Budapest Hotel, directed by Wes Anderson, starring Ralph Fiennes, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton, Adrian Brody, Bill Murray

Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, starring Steve Coogan, 

Enemy, directed by Denis Villeneuve, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Melanie Laurent, Isabella Rossellini.

In terms of dates, I was thinking of hosting the movie night either on a Tuesday or Friday night: March 18th or March 21st. The film will be on a 6:30pm or later time slot.

Vote for the dates and film: e-mail me at matchbookclub@live.ca with the subject line: RSVP Movie Night. Can't wait!

Future Event

Our next meeting will be taking place on Sunday, March 23rd. In terms of the time, it will be followed up by a Google Doodle. Stay tuned!
In terms of location, I am always open to new places: feel free to throw suggestions my way!

Our Next Theme

Flourish

Having been in the cold for far too long, it's a welcoming feeling to know that Spring will come very soon! As such, I will be hand-picking titles that will revive our hearts and our minds!

Our February Selection

Dear Members,

I hope everyone has been doing well- and have been staying warm!
February is a month where we are simply fed up with the constant frigid temperatures as of late, and as a result, we find ourselves dreaming of adventure, of warmer days. So it's only right that our February theme turns to travel.
Thank you to everyone who voted: it was clear that we are packing our bags to Italy in Marlena de Blasi's A Thousand Days in Tuscany!


Summary: They had met and married on perilously short acquaintance, she an American chef and food writer, he a Venetian banker. Now they were taking another audacious leap, unstitching their ties with exquisite Venice to live in a roughly renovated stable in Tuscany.

Once again, it was love at first sight. Love for the timeless countryside and the ancient village of San Casciano dei Bagni, for the local vintage and the magnificent cooking, for the Tuscan sky and the friendly church bells. Love especially for old Barlozzo, the village mago, who escorts the newcomers to Tuscany’s seasonal festivals; gives them roasted country bread drizzled with just-pressed olive oil; invites them to gather chestnuts, harvest grapes, hunt truffles; and teaches them to caress the simple pleasures of each precious day. It’s Barlozzo who guides them across the minefields of village history and into the warm and fiercely beating heart of love itself.

A Thousand Days in Tuscany is set in one of the most beautiful places on earth–and tucked into its fragrant corners are luscious recipes (including one for the only true bruschetta) directly from the author’s private collection.

January MeetingIt was wonderful to see everyone not only at our Movie Night gathering- where we went to see Inside Llewyn Davis at Tiff BellLightbox- but at this month's meeting! We met in the cozy White Squirrel Cafe on Queen Street, where we caught up on what we've watched, what we've did, and most importantly, what we've read! It was amazing to hear that everyone loved our first book of the year: Burial Rites by Hannah Kent! It was definitely a dark love letter to Iceland, as the novel unfolds the true story of the last executed woman in Iceland and her story being told through different perspectives. We all agreed that the book was gripping and well-written...it definitely gave us the itch to travel to Iceland!

Worth Noting:

 It is very sad when I hear news about bookshops closing around Toronto: first, Nicholas Hoare, then followed the World's Biggest Bookstore, and now The Book City on the Annex. Additionally, we have long heard about the beautiful Chapters Runnymede location being closed down. Thanks to one of our members Shirley who brought this up, Indigo's CEO, Heather Reisman will be at 2225 Bloor Street West on Feb 5, 7-8pm to respond to questions and concerns about the impending closure. You can submit questions you would like answered at the event at jzeliger@indigo.ca by Feb 3rd.

Future Event!

Our next meeting will be taking place next month! I have set up a Doodle link for everyone to vote on dates and times! In terms of location, I figured we turn back to a more comfy place- Panera Bread! Lots of great choices menu-wise and space, it's very accessible by train (Yonge and Dundas). Looking forward to seeing you all soon!!

Here is the Doodle link: http://doodle.com/qecwqdxtnnkef8wd

Our January Selection

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” 

- Jane Austen

Dear Members,

Happy New Year! 2014 provides a new chapter in our lives- a fresh start to new aspirations, and be a better, brighter you.

While I am excited to see old faces, I am also very thrilled to be welcoming new ones to our book club!

I hope everyone is doing well, and enjoying our latest book club pick- this month, we journey into a Icelandic world...



Summary: Set against Iceland's stark landscape, Hannah Kent brings to vivid life the story of Agnes, who, charged with the brutal murder of her former master, is sent to an isolated farm to await execution.

Horrified at the prospect of housing a convicted murderer, the family at first avoids Agnes. Only Tóti, a priest Agnes has mysteriously chosen to be her spiritual guardian, seeks to understand her. But as Agnes's death looms, the farmer's wife and their daughters learn there is another side to the sensational story they've heard.

Riveting and rich with lyricism, BURIAL RITES evokes a dramatic existence in a distant time and place, and asks the question, how can one woman hope to endure when her life depends upon the stories told by others?
Make sure to vote for a date for our next meeting! I have made a Doodle for everyone to take a look. Vote here!The February Selections will be arriving at your inbox shortly.

Will you be taking the 50 Book Pledge? or the Reading Bingo Challenge!(Note: its still at 2013, but the board is still good!)

Until our next meeting, stay warm and happy reading!

Joanne

Our Recent Selection + Updated News and Events!

Dear Members,

A huge thank you to everyone who came to our recent book club meeting, which took place at the Bannock Restaurant! Great comfort food all around- from Pad Thai to their fantastic Chicken Pot Pie, everything was scrumptious- another location worth returning to!

Overall, there was good responses for our previous pick, Chris Hadfield's An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth. His life lessons and values have taught us that nothing comes easy- hard work and positive motivation are key drivers to success.

While some members thought that parts of the book may have been too "preachy" and needs more editing, there were others who thoroughly enjoyed it and found it very inspirational. Overall, there was positive feedback from the members and we all agreed that having read this book, we have found Hadfield to be quite an interesting person. There were many memorable scenes throughout the book, and towards the end of our discussion, there was Trivia Time based on this month's title- congrats to Barbara and Shirley!

I am also very excited to announce our first "From Books to Film" series for our book club! I hope to coordinate these events as much as possible and make it a success.

In light of our next selection: all of us agreed on this particular title, which as we eventually discovered, have not read yet and coincidentally it has a film that's currently being released in theatres!


Without further ado, this month's pick is:

Summary: The extraordinary #1 New York Times best-seller that will be in movie theatres on November 15, 2013, Markus Zusak's unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul.

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.

Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.


The film: starring Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson- by the looks of the trailer, the film seems riveting.

Watch the trailer here: http://youtu.be/rMVa2bMhro4


Our film night will be taking place on Tuesday, December 3rd ( on Tuesdays, the movie tickets are half off, so it's the perfect opportunity), 7:20pm at Varsity Cinema located in the Manulife Centre near Bay and Bloor.


Please RSVP to our email address: matchbookclub (at) live (dot) ca with the subject line "The Book Thief" to this email address if you are attending so that I can keep count of how many people are coming: that way, we can all meet up at the front entrance before heading inside the theatre! I do recommend arriving no later than 15 mins prior to the film.

All are welcome and feel free to bring a guest!

See you all there! :)

A look ahead:



Holiday season has finally arrived!!

As per tradition of the book club, it's that special time of the year where we all get together at Marche Restaurant (located at Brookfield Place near King Station) and catch up with everyone old and new (feel free to bring friends too)! The meeting will be taking place on Saturday, December 14th at 12pm.

This year, we will continue to do our Gift Swap, where everyone spends under $20 and on that day we will do a fun switcheroo! I will also be bringing lovely treats for everyone.

To make it even more festive, I also want to do a Book Swap as well for those who are interested- it's the perfect way to relieve any books you want to give away before the New Year, and for those who would like to pick up some lovely free books for the holidays!

I highly encourage each and everyone of you to attend this special event, as it is our final grand hurrah with one another before the New Year: to reserve an accurate amount of seating at Marche, pleaseRSVP with the subject line "Holiday Meeting" to this email address no later than December 7th!

I am super excited for this event, and I am very much looking forward to seeing you all there!

Until then, happy reading!

Joanne