Tag Archives: Adult Fiction

Cherry Blossoms in the GTA: Spring, Transience and International Relations

Cole-Jonathon Neophytou via Shutterstock

We’re on Cherry Blossom Watch everyone!

What is that? Well, that’s when the City of Toronto and its surrounding areas wait with anticipation for the cherry blossom trees in High Park and elsewhere around the city to bloom.

Cherry blossoms (桜 Sakura in Japanese, 벚꽃 Beotkkok in Korean, 櫻花 Yīng Huā in Chinese, etc.) are small five-petal flowers that are often associated with the color pink, but they come in other colors as well, like white. They’re native to areas in east Asia but they’ve been planted all over the world. They’re the national flower of Japan and they bloom for a short period each spring. In our neck of the woods that usually means late April early May, depending on the weather. They can be seen most famously in High Park, but they can also be found in other places around the city, like Toronto Island and Exhibition Place.

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Calling All Pet Lovers: Come Fetch These Books!

Who makes our lives more fun? Our pets! Teddy, my two-year-old Pomeranian mix, is always there by my side whether we’re going for a walk or snuggling up on the couch to watch another episode of Young Sheldon (although he’s more of a Bluey fan). Since there are lots of events coming up dedicated to our little friends, such as National Pet Day on April 11, I’ll be sharing a short list of recommendations for those who can’t get enough of pets and animals.

Book cover of "Find Momo Coast to Coast" by Andrew Knapp.

Sorry Waldo, move aside for Find Momo Coast to Coast, a photography book that fuses a cute border collie and travel photos for the challenge of finding Momo! And believe me, it’s a very immersive way to pass the time. Whether it’s Ontario or California, be jealous of Andrew Knapp and Momo’s road trips across Canada and the U.S. — because who wouldn’t want to travel with their trusty canine? Knapp writes in the introduction that there’s no travel companion more ideal than Momo, which I’m sure no one can disagree with, since he’s unbothered by wrong turns and is always nearby when the nights get cold (sounds like cuddling time to me!). As readers, we’re there sharing the memories with Momo, even if he’s hiding from us behind cars or monuments. The photography is stunning, and it inspires me to travel with Teddy to take similar photos (although he probably won’t sit still long enough for me to take a picture).

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One eRead Canada / Un Livrel Canada: Valid

The logo for One eRead/Un Livrel Canada

It’s April again, which means it’s time for all of Canada to read the same eBook again time again. For those of you not in the know, One eRead Canada is when The Canadian Urban Libraries Council / Conseil des Bibliothèques Urbaines du Canada (CULC/CBUC) selects one book and makes it available simultaneously in English and French to all libraries that want to participate. Since they’re electronic formats, everyone reading this post on day one can go to Overdrive and instantly borrow it without having to wait.

We have a physical edition if you need the feeling of dead trees in your hands and dinosaurs burning in your gas tank to pick it up. This year’s book can be read and listened to in its original French, and anglophones like myself can read a copy translated into English. Sorry, English-speaking audiobook lovers. CULC always selects a Canadian author, so joining in the reading makes supporting Canadian content easy. Just read the One eRead Canada book and join the discussion and interviews. The English interview will be on CBC on April 23rd at 7 pm, and the French interview will be the next day, April 24th at 7 pm on Radio-Canada.

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