Word On The Street is ...

Word On The Street (WOTS) celebrates the written word and local authors over the weekend of September 27-28 in Toronto.

I can't think of a better time for a Book Ride nor a more ideal book than At Last Count by author Claire Ross Dunn.

A Globe and Mail Best Book of 2022, Toronto Star summer reads pick, and a finalist for the 2025 Kobo Emerging Writers Prize in Romance, At Last Count is a romantic coming-of-age tale for adult readers about a Toronto birding archivist who is losing her apartment to condos—particularly challenging because she struggles with OCD and being displaced is a trigger. She soon discovers the only person who can help reclaim her family homestead in rural Ontario is Garnet, her childhood nemesis…and secret crush. Told in two time periods as their past relationship dovetails with the present, we wonder if they will manage to overcome their obstacles to both find her a place to live, and, hopefully, fall in love.

I’ve always wanted to produce a ride to locations where a writer wrote their book and/or to the signification spots in the novel. Unlike previous book rides where we've had an author speak a little & then give a reading in one location this Book Ride will be like a moving book club meeting with Claire.

The route will be a slow roll, approximately 8 km, to eight spots in Toronto beginning in the east end and finishing at WOTS in David Pecaut Square where Another Story Bookshop will provide books for sale. Our author will of course sign a copy for you!

What is a Book Ride? It's a relaxed bicycle ride where we TALK about books, meet an AUTHOR, and see the CITY from a new perspective! View our documentary on The Reading Line home page.

All readers and bicycles are welcome.

Our Community Rules:

1. Helmets are required. Lights are required if riding in darkness.
2. No one gets left behind!
3. Be kind and encourage others.
4. Welcome new experiences and people.
5. This space is for gathering, not for selling.
6. Be honest about your ability to participate

BY ATTENDING this event you ACKNOWLEDGE and ACCEPT the following:
1. I ACKNOWLEDGE, agree, and represent that I understand the nature of bicycling activities and that I am qualified, in good health, and in proper physical condition to participate in such activity. I further acknowledge that the ride-out will be conducted over public pavements and facilities open to the public, and upon which the hazards of traveling are to be expected. I further agree and warrant that if, at any time, I believe conditions to be unsafe, I will immediately discontinue further participation.
2. I FULLY UNDERSTAND that (a) BICYCLING ACTIVITIES INVOLVE RISKS AND DANGERS OF SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, INCLUDING PERMANENT DISABILITY, PARALYSIS AND DEATH ("Risks"); (b) these Risks and dangers may be caused by my own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others participating in the ride-out, the conditions in which the ride-out takes place, or the negligence of others; (c) there may be OTHER RISKS AND SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LOSSES either not known to me or not readily foreseeable at this time; and I FULLY ACCEPT AND ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS AND ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOSSES, COSTS, AND DAMAGES I may incur as a result of my participation; (d) I acknowledge that Brompton Bicycle, event organizers, ride leaders, and volunteers will not be liable for any accidents or damages through this ride-out.
3. PHOTO RELEASE: I CONSENT to my voice, name, and/or likeness being used, without compensation, in any and all media, whether now known or hereafter devised, for eternity, and release Brompton Bicycle, its successors, assigns and licensees from any liability whatsoever of any nature.
DO NOT REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO BE SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING.