Book Drives Toronto

War and Peace reading club-session #1

First session to talk about war and peace novel. If you have already read the book, you are reading it now or always wanted to start the novel, this session is for you. We will mostly talk about Tolstoy, his impact on modern literature and first 100 pages of the book.

Silent Bookclub Meeting #97

The next event is happening on Tuesday October 27, 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 October 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. ✨

October's Book: Weyward

**This event has been rescheduled to October 27th. If you are unable to make it due to this scheduling change, please contact our organizer, Melis Tokgoz.** 2019: Under cover of darkness, Kate flees London for ramshackle Weyward Cottage, inherited from a great aunt she barely remembers. With its tumbling ivy and overgrown garden, the cottage is worlds away from the abusive partner who tormented Kate. But she begins to suspect that her great aunt had a secret. One that lurks in the bones of the cottage, hidden ever since the witch-hunts of the 17th century. 1619: Altha is awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer who was stampeded to death by his herd. As a girl, Altha’s mother taught her their magic, a kind not rooted in spell casting but in a deep knowledge of the natural world. But unusual women have always been deemed dangerous, and as the evidence for witchcraft is set out against Altha, she knows it will take all of her powers to maintain her freedom. 1942: As World War II rages, Violet is trapped in her family's grand, crumbling estate. Straitjacketed by societal convention, she longs for the robust education her brother receives––and for her mother, long deceased, who was rumored to have gone mad before her death. The only traces Violet has of her are a locket bearing the initial W and the word weyward scratched into the baseboard of her bedroom. Weaving together the stories of three extraordinary women across five centuries, Emilia Hart's Weyward is an enthralling novel of female resilience and the transformative power of the natural world.

ABCD Reads "Salvation of a Saint" by Keigo Higashino

ABCD Reads "**[Salvation of a Saint](https://tpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S234C2888913)**" by Keigo Higashino. [RESULTS of the poll for this event] **:: ABOUT THE BOOK ::** "The Devotion of Suspect X was a hit with critics and readers alike. The first major English language publication from the most popular bestselling writer in Japan, it was acclaimed as "stunning," "brilliant," and "ingenious." Now physics professor Manabu Yukawa—Detective Galileo—returns in a new case of impossible murder, where instincts clash with facts and theory with reality. Yoshitaka, who was about to leave his marriage and his wife, is poisoned by arsenic-laced coffee and dies. His wife, Ayane, is the logical suspect—except that she was hundreds of miles away when he was murdered. The lead detective, Tokyo Police Detective Kusanagi, is immediately smitten with her and refuses to believe that she could have had anything to do with the crime. His assistant, Kaoru Utsumi, however, is convinced Ayane is guilty. While Utsumi's instincts tell her one thing, the facts of the case are another matter. So she does what her boss has done for years when stymied—she calls upon Professor Manabu Yukawa. But even the brilliant mind of Dr. Yukawa has trouble with this one, and he must somehow find a way to solve an impossible murder and capture a very real, very deadly murderer. Salvation of a Saint is Keigo Higashino at his mind-bending best, pitting emotion against fact in a beautifully plotted crime novel filled with twists and reverses that will astonish and surprise even the most attentive and jaded of readers." (from [Macmillan Publishers](https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250036278/salvationofasaint/)) "When a man is discovered dead by poisoning in his empty home his beautiful wife, Ayane, immediately falls under suspicion. All clues point to Ayane being the logical suspect, but how could she have committed the crime when she was hundreds of miles away? As Tokyo police detective Kusanagi tries to unpick a seemingly unrelated sequence of events he finds himself falling for Ayane. When his judgement becomes dangerously clouded his assistant must call on an old friend for help; it will take a genius to unravel the most spectacular web of deceit they have ever faced… SALVATION OF A SAINT is a magnificently complex and page-turning thriller starring international crime fiction’s most enigmatic sleuth.This is essential reading for all fans of exceptional crime fiction." (from [Hachette UK](https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/keigo-higashino/salvation-of-a-saint/9780349138817/)) **:: 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.

The Island of Dr. Moreau

October is the month where we celebrate all things spooky, dark, and scary. Our novel this month, *The Island of Dr. Moreau*, promises to leave you disturbed - or at least, uncomfortable. It is a powerful, short, philosophical novel examining human cruelty and pain and the moral choices attached to scientific invention. Sound familiar? Written by the father of science fiction, H.G. Wells, in 1896, it explores questions such as, what happens when human intelligence challenges the very structure of nature? Highly accessible, about 115 pages, *The Island of Dr. Moreau* is a famous work that has been adapted to film, audiobooks, and other media.

Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke

This time we'll be reading *Childhood's End* by Arthur C Clarke. Here's the blurb: The Overlords appeared suddenly over every city—intellectually, technologically, and militarily superior to humankind. Benevolent, they made few demands: unify earth, eliminate poverty, and end war. With little rebellion, humankind agreed, and a golden age began. But at what cost? With the advent of peace, man ceases to strive for creative greatness, and a malaise settles over the human race. To those who resist, it becomes evident that the Overlords have an agenda of their own. As civilization approaches the crossroads, will the Overlords spell the end for humankind . . . or the beginning? The book is available here: Amazon- Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook: https://a.co/d/0eZeVgUd Indigo- Paperback: https://www.indigo.ca/products/childhoods-end?variant=46163574915249 Kobo- eBook: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/childhood-s-end-7?sId=520163aa-c060-4248-86af-2c164df50fb6&ssId=RxtwaKpaq26cozXPzWgY4&cPos=1 Toronto Public Library: https://tpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S234C509506 Looking forward to seeing you there!

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/s1xf5t7z/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.

VIRTUAL LIT BOOK CLUB: October 2026 - The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman

DLC October Meeting: Wild Dark Shore, by Charlotte McCoPaylor

The Downtown Literary Collective's October book pick is Wild Dark Shore, by Charlotte McCoPauylor. *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.* 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.

Shut Up & Write — West Queen West

Come join us at the lovely, well-lit, and cozy Theatre Centre Cafe for an hour and a half of silent writing (on whatever writing projects you will)! After silent writing is done, feel free to stay and chat or go as you please. If you are late you are welcome to join us (quietly and not disruptively). Please note this is a casual event, and we will NOT be critiquing each other's work. Other Important Details: WiFi name/password: #TheTheatreCentre (no password, open access) Travel / Parking info: There is paid street parking as well as Green P underground parking located at 45 Abell St (2 mins walk from the venue) Venue Guidelines: Please thank our hosts by purchasing something.

📕October’s book: The Surrogate Mother

Join us for a cozy, spooky evening discussing The Surrogate by Freida McFadden! 🕯️🍂🎃 Come ready to share your thoughts, theories, and favorite twists while enjoying good conversation, drinks, and a little Halloween magic. 📚✨ Please update your RSVP no later than 48 hours in advance of the event, to ensure all members who would like to attend, have a fair chance of getting a spot. As per the groups policy, late cancellations and no-shows will be removed from the group.