Arabic Book Club

**Book Club Launch \| First Meeting** You are invited to the very first meeting of our new book club. We are gathering to talk about **The Celebrants by Steven Rowley,** a novel about friendship across decades, chosen family, and the way life changes as we age. This is a brand‑new club, so there are no regulars, no experts, and no pressure. Just women who enjoy reading and good conversation. At our first meeting we will: • Talk about The Celebrants • Get to know one another • Choose our next book together If you have been thinking about joining a book club but were waiting for the right moment, this is it. All are welcome.

This is Day 2 of a hybrid two day conference presented by the University of Toronto's Centre for Ethics on the theme of "Kant in Practice". Talks will also be streamed online with live chat. The Conference Schedule [DAY 1](https://www.meetup.com/the-toronto-philosophy-meetup/events/314797126/) – Tuesday, May 19 * 14.00-15.30 — [Sergio Tenenbaum](https://philosophy.utoronto.ca/directory/sergio-tenenbaum/) (University of Toronto) – "Virtuous Action and Practical Cognition: Kant Against Contemporary Conceptions of Moral Worth" * 16.00-17.30 — [Arthur Ripstein](https://philosophy.utoronto.ca/directory/arthur-ripstein/) (University of Toronto) — "System, Progress and Kant’s Four Questions" Please note: per UofT custom, these talks will start promptly at 10 minutes past the hour. [DAY 2](https://www.meetup.com/the-toronto-philosophy-meetup/events/314797218/) – Wednesday, May 20 * 11.30-13.00 — [Garrath Williams](https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/global-affairs/people/garrath-williams) (Lancaster University) – "The Groundwork Lays the Ground for Right" * 14.00-15.30 — [Alice Pinheiro Walla](https://experts.mcmaster.ca/people/pinheiro) (McMaster University) – "Legal Equality and Social Inequality: Insights from Kant’s Doctrine of Right" The talks will also be streamed online with live chat [here](https://www.youtube.com/live/5ntz-8tq_ZI?si=H1JkllD5GXuMJike) (Day 2). To attend in person, you can email Garrath (g.d.williams@lancaster.ac.uk) to register and receive updates. About the Centre for Ethics (http://ethics.utoronto.ca): The Centre for Ethics is an interdisciplinary centre aimed at advancing research and teaching in the field of ethics, broadly defined. The Centre seeks to bring together the theoretical and practical knowledge of diverse scholars, students, public servants and social leaders in order to increase understanding of the ethical dimensions of individual, social, and political life. In pursuit of its interdisciplinary mission, the Centre fosters lines of inquiry such as (1) foundations of ethics, which encompasses the history of ethics and core concepts in the philosophical study of ethics; (2) ethics in action, which relates theory to practice in key domains of social life, including bioethics, business ethics, and ethics in the public sphere; and (3) ethics in translation, which draws upon the rich multiculturalism of the City of Toronto and addresses the ethics of multicultural societies, ethical discourse across religious and cultural boundaries, and the ethics of international society. The Ethics of A.I. Lab at the Centre For Ethics recently appeared on a list of 10 organizations leading the way in ethical A.I.: https://ocean.sagepub.com/blog/10-organizations-leading-the-way-in-ethical-ai

**NO PHILOSOPHY EXPERTISE REQUIRED!** **🏛️ WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 **📓 HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B7LyJIeBlaH5VtXkMJTTph?mode=gi_t), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 19:30-19:45 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the official start. * 19:45-19:55 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 19:55-21:15 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 21:15-21:30 - Bring everyone back together to discuss conclusions of the topic - each group gives a short 1-minute summary. Organizer concludes the meeting and everyone takes a group photo. * 21:30 - The official meeting is over but it’s a great opportunity to get to know people in a non-structured environment, so we often stick around, chat, and get to know each other. **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy is operated entirely on voluntary donations! If we are meeting in a café, buy a beverage! Donations are 100% voluntary, but they help us to bring the gift of deep conversation to people around the world. If you'd like to support, you can [donate here](https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-practical-philosophy)! (Practical Philosophy is a registered Canadian charity) **💛 WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY** **🗣** “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 (the topic was authority) and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * **Do I need to study or read anything to attend?** No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what you think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it. * **Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on?** The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * **Is it mostly men that attend?** Surprisingly, no! Although often, philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * **Can I come alone?** Of course you can, we encourage it :) * **Can I be late?** Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * **Where do you meet?** The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B7LyJIeBlaH5VtXkMJTTph?mode=gi_t) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/practical-philosophy-locations/). 🤝**POLICY** To respect our members privacy, we ask that no one privately message a member without first getting explicit consent. (This looks like speaking in person and being asked to message privately.) Contacting or texting other participants without prior consent is not permitted and may result in removal from the group. Practical Philosophy reserves the right to enforce this policy at its discretion to maintain a safe and respectful environment. **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY CLUB - Philosophy, everywhere. ✨** We started in Practical Philosophy back in 2021 and there are now 50+ chapters in over 25 countries, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ **\*\*\*** **Join our [Toronto Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B7LyJIeBlaH5VtXkMJTTph?mode=gi_t) 👈** **Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub/) 👈** **Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/) 👈**

**🏛️ WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 **📓 HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://tally.so/r/ZjaPO0), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 19:00-19:15 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the ‘official' start. * 19:15-19:25 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 19:25-20:45 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 20:45-21:00 - Bring everyone back together to discuss conclusions of the topic - each group gives a short 1-minute summary. Organizer concludes the meeting and everyone takes a group photo. * 21:00 - The official meeting is over but it’s a great opportunity to get to know people in a non-structured environment, so we often stick around, chat, and get to know each other. **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy is operated entirely on voluntary donations! If we are meeting in a café, buy a beverage! Donations are 100% voluntary, but they help us to bring the gift of deep conversation to people around the world. If you'd like to support, you can [donate here](https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-practical-philosophy)! (Practical Philosophy is a registered Canadian charity) 💛 **WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY** 🗣 “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 (the topic was authority) and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * ​What will we talk about? What's the topic? ​The topic for the week is shared every Sunday in the Whatsapp group. We try to add the topic to the comment section on this event page as well but if you don’t see it, the topic and the jump-off points will be in our [Whatsapp](https://tally.so/r/ZjaPO0). * Do I need to study or read anything to attend? No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what YOU think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it, but it's not required. * Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on? The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * Is it mostly men that attend? Surprisingly, no! Although philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * Can I come alone? Of course you can, we encourage it :) * Can I be late? Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * Where do you meet? The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://tally.so/r/ZjaPO0) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/practical-philosophy-locations/). 🤝**POLICY** To respect our members privacy, we ask that no one privately message a member without first getting explicit consent. (This looks like speaking in person and being asked to message privately.) Contacting or texting other participants without prior consent is not permitted and may result in removal from the group. Practical Philosophy reserves the right to enforce this policy at its discretion to maintain a safe and respectful environment. **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY - Making Philosophy Available To All.** ✨ Practical Philosophy hosts weekly, in-person meetups in over 25 countries and 50+ chapters, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ \*\*\* Join our [Whatsapp group](https://tally.so/r/ZjaPO0) 👈 Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub) 👈 Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/) 👈

Karaoke night with great food and awesome friendly people! Join us!!!

**🏛️ WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 **📓 HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://tally.so/r/81LP4A), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 19:00-19:15 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the official start. * 19:15-19:25 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 19:25-20:45 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 20:45-21:00 - Bring everyone back together to discuss conclusions of the topic - each group gives a short 1-minute summary. Organizer concludes the meeting and everyone takes a group photo. * 21:00 - The official meeting is over but it’s a great opportunity to get to know people in a non-structured environment, so we often stick around, chat, and get to know each other. **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy is operated entirely on voluntary donations! If we are meeting in a café, buy a beverage! Donations are 100% voluntary, but they help us to bring the gift of deep conversation to people around the world. If you'd like to support, you can [donate here](https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-practical-philosophy)! (Practical Philosophy is a registered Canadian charity) **💛 WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY** **🗣** “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 (the topic was authority) and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * **Do I need to study or read anything to attend?** No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what you think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it. * **Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on?** The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * **Is it mostly men that attend?** Surprisingly, no! Although often, philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * **Can I come alone?** Of course you can, we encourage it :) * **Can I be late?** Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * **Where do you meet?** The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://tally.so/r/81LP4A) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/). 🤝**POLICY** To respect our members privacy, we ask that no one privately message a member without first getting explicit consent. (This looks like speaking in person and being asked to message privately.) Contacting or texting other participants without prior consent is not permitted and may result in removal from the group. Practical Philosophy reserves the right to enforce this policy at its discretion to maintain a safe and respectful environment. **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY CLUB - Philosophy, everywhere. ✨** We started in Practical Philosophy back in 2021 and there are now 50+ chapters in over 25 countries, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ **\*\*\*** **Join our [Mississauga Whatsapp](https://tally.so/r/81LP4A) 👈** **Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub/) 👈** **Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/) 👈**

\*\***Please note this is NOT a language learning event**: it is intended for those with a **good command of German**. If you are learning German, please check out our calendar for the German Conversations event the fourth Wednesday of the month (e.g. October 23 this month) which is designed for you!\*\* Let's shake things up ever so slightly by trying out some other quality places in the immediate area. Thanks to a group member for the suggestion to try the Duke of York just a bit further east on Prince Arthur between Bedford and Avenue Road. They have indoor and outdoor spaces, good food and lots of beers. In business for decades, it is a great Toronto neighbourhood institution. \-\-\-\- **Thank you to our sponsor – Wir danken unserem Sponsor** Our group could not exist without our sponsor, Steffen Hugo. Professional Real Estate Services for Houses, Condos, Investments, Rentals. More info [here](https://www.steffenhugo.com/). Ohne unseren Sponsor, Steffen Hugo, ginge diese Meetupgruppe nicht. Profesionelle Immobiliendienstleistungen für Häuser, Wohnungen,Investitionsobjekte, Vermietungen. Weitere Infos [hier](https://www.steffenhugo.com/uber-mich/). \-\-\-\- Website/Webseite: https://dukepubs.ca/duke-of-york/ Address/Adresse: 39 Prince Arthur Ave, Toronto, ON M5R 1B2 Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/DunJjLY8ehZ3A84JA TTC: Subway Lines 1 or 2 to St. George. Take the Bedford exit, then 100m to the pub. / U-Bahnlinien 1 oder 2 bis St. George. Ausgang Bedford, dann 100m zu Fuss. Green P Parking: [Carpark 58](https://parking.greenp.com/carpark/58_9-bedford-road-hotel-intercontinental/) around the corner off Bedford north of Bloor St W / um die Ecke in der Bedford St nördlich der Bloor Street. Bike Share Toronto station: Taddle Creek Park, Lowther and Bedford / im Taddle Creek Park, Lowther Ecke Bedford. Please RVSP, because this helps us with planning. Bitte meldet Ihr Euch an, weil es uns bei der Planung hilft. **COVID-19 Health Policy – COVID-19 Gesundheitsregeln** We want to protect your health, the health of your fellow members, and the health of the staff members where we meet. We encourage all attendees to be fully vaccinated, and encourage the wearing of masks when not seated or standing at one of our tables. Wir wollen Ihre Gesundheit, die der anderen Mitglieder der Gruppe und der Mitarbeiter, wo wir uns treffen, schützen. Wir empfehlen, daß Ihr vollständig geimpft seid. Wir empfehlen eine Maske zu tragen wenn Ihr nicht an einem Tisch sitzt oder steht. I look forward to seeing everyone! Ich freue mich auf Euren Besuch! Yours / Grüße, Robert Quickert Organizer – Greater Toronto German Club

Practice French through real conversations, games, and shared experiences in a fun, supportive, and inclusive space ✨ ✨ **LaMova French Speaking Group** ✨ **Practice French. Meet People. Find Community** ☕💬 Looking to speak French more often in a relaxed, friendly environment? Welcome to the **LaMova French Speaking Club** \- a community\-first language company for real conversations\, good energy\, and meaningful connections\. This club is open to **all levels** and brings together **language learners and native speakers** who want to speak French more often, connect with others, and be part of a supportive, inclusive community. ### What to Expect * Casual, real-life conversations in French * Fun and interactive games * Prompts and helpful tips to keep conversations flowing * A supportive, judgment-free atmosphere * Good vibes and great people No pressure. No perfection. Just showing up and speaking. ### Who This Is For * French learners who want to practice **speaking regularly** * Native French speakers who want to **connect, share, and support** * Anyone who enjoys **language, culture, and community** * **All levels welcome** **Come for the language. Stay for the community 🌟** Questions? **info@lamova.net**

Since the beginning of recorded history, Iran/Persia has been one of the most important world civilizations. Iran remains a distinct civilization today despite its status as a major Islamic state with broad regional influence and its deep integration into the global economy through its vast energy reserves. Yet the close attention paid to Iran in recent decades stems from the impact of the 1979 revolution, which unleashed ideological shock waves throughout the Middle East that reverberate to this day. Many observers look at Iran through the prism of the Islamic Republic's adversarial relationship with the US, Israel, and Sunni nations in its region, yet as Michael Axworthy shows in *Iran: What Everyone Needs to Know*, there is much more to contemporary Iran than its fraught foreign relations. He begins with a concise account of Iranian history from ancient times to the late twentieth century and then follows that with sharp summaries of the key events since the 1979 revolution. The final section of the book focuses on Iran today--its culture, economy, politics, and people--and assesses the challenges that the nation will face in coming years. *Iran* will be an essential overview of a complex and important nation that has occupied world headlines for nearly four decades. ═════ Discussion questions: TBD Facilitator: Andrii ═════ $$ Refundable deposit: We'd like to make sure everyone on the RSVP actually intends to join us and enjoy the event. Please make a **refundable** deposit of $5 to hold your spot, via Paypal or Interac e-transfer to [toronto.nonfiction@gmail.com](mailto:toronto.nonfiction@gmail.com), when you RSVP or shortly thereafter. If you are waitlisted please wait until a spot opens up for you before making a transfer. You'll get your $5 back in cash if you join us at the event. If you decide to drop out later or not attend, consider this a donation to support our meetup and zoom subscriptions, which aren't cheap. Thank you! ═════ Meeting format: * We meet to discuss the book after having read it beforehand. * A facilitator guides the discussion ensuring that everyone has a chance to speak, one person at a time. * Warning: Participation in a book club is a dangerous activity. You may encounter opinions different from yours. By joining the group you agree to assume all risks.

À travers 13 textes couvrant plus de 300 ans, revisitez des faits divers et des événements aussi savoureux qu’étonnants de l’histoire du Québec. Le maniaque au rasoir de Montréal; la momie d'un célèbre pharaon à Niagara; le naufrage du Granicus; les draveurs canadiens en sauvetage sur le Nil; l'extraordinaire "fausse médium" Ann Odelia Diss Debar; le scandale financier de Bre-X; l'expédition de Cavelier de La Salle; Conrad Labelle le Capone du Québec; Marcel Ouimet le témoin de la chute d'Hitler; le KKK et les feux de 1922; quand le Canada a tenté de voler une île à la Russie; l'arrestation du meurtrier Hawley Harvey Crippen; et finalement le vrai visage de Grey Owl.

Hi everyone!! 💖 This is now our FOURTH book club meetup! I can’t wait to get to know you all more, hang out and talk books. For this meeting we’ll be FINISHING Born, Darkly (Book 1 of the Darkly Madly Duet) by Trisha Wolfe. ALSO!!!!!! We are STARTING a new book called The Book of Azrael by Amber Nicole!!! Please read the first 17 chapters before coming so we have lots to discuss!!! If you are new, you don’t have to read Born Darkly and could just start the new book (it’s up to you! We’ll still spend a bit of time discussing it!) Don’t stress if you’re new or didn’t make it to the last meetup! This is a super chill group and we’re mostly here to chat, vibe, and obsess over books together. Can’t wait to see you all!! 📚✨

Instead of everyone agreeing to read one book for a meeting, we each read whatever we want, then share it with the rest of the group every alternate meeting. Our discussions are always fresh and interesting! Those who don't have a book to share but want a recommendation for their next read are also welcome to join. Then we vote on the discussed books and the book with highest votes gets discussed further in the subsequent meeting. Books we talk about cover just about anything. Some example topics include: the history of salt, a man lost at sea, why some technological developments should make us optimistic about the future, creativity at Pixar, neuroplasticity, biotechnology, American sub-cultures, biographies, the economics, geography and biology underpinning the development of the New World, the politics of mental illness, harnessing a positive mental attitude, law, the changing role of the policies in US & Canada, walking the trail, communication in the workplace, and much much much much more. The aim here is to establish a group of independent readers in the GTA who are curious about everything. Have you read an interesting book lately? Come and tell us about it! This relaxed and friendly book group is for those who enjoy reading books, asking questions, and having thought provoking, fun discussions on a wide variety of topics. Read whatever you want, then come and spend a few minutes discussing it with us. No formal book reports required, promise :). Paper books, e-books and audio books are all considered books for the purposes of this group. \*\*\* **Books discussed in previous "Bring your own book" events are here:** [GTA Book Club BYOB log Google Spreadsheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1em0ZTWtxNbXPp5Rt5Tegp8Kj4gM8Kc54_8CAgtjfB_Q/edit?usp=sharing) During the event, a poll will be opened for everyone to vote on the book we should all read in the subsequent event. At the end of the event, the subsequent event will be updated with the book that had the most votes from this event. Bring a book to share or observe (find your next read) and bring an open mind! I hope to see you there.

Starting over can feel heavy—but it doesn’t have to be. This 6-week Pilates series is designed for women who want to: ✨ Rebuild their routine ✨ Feel stronger physically & mentally ✨ Meet new people in a relaxed, supportive space *** No pressure. No judgment. Just a space to show up for yourself. *** ## 💪 What You’ll Get * Beginner-friendly Pilates * Weekly progression (you’ll feel the difference) * Small, welcoming group * Post-class matcha + conversation * A chance to reconnect—with yourself and others *** ## 🗓️ Details Sundays \| 2:00–3:00 PM Scarborough (Free parking) 6-week program *** ## 💸 Pricing \~$30/class when booked as a package 🎟️ $20 OFF with code: **PILATESFRESH13** ⏳ Ends May 4th *** ⚠️ Limited spots- **[GET TICKETS HERE](https://www.halalharmonycanada.com/halalharmonyevents/p/pilates-for-muslim-sisters-toronto)** *** Whether you’re new to fitness, getting back into it, or simply want a better environment—you’ll feel at home here. *** 👉 Reserve your spot

We will meet for a discussion of the book [When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows...: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life by Steven Pinker](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/224003186-when-everyone-knows-that-everyone-knows) **To attend this event, you should have read this book and be able to partake in discussions on this book.** From the publisher: In *When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows*, Steven Pinker explores the sophisticated mechanics of **common knowledge**—the psychological state where two or more people not only know a piece of information, but know that the others know it, and know that they know that they know it. Pinker argues that this recursive loop is the invisible glue holding society together, differentiating a mere collection of individuals from a functioning collective. By examining everyday phenomena like eye contact, "the Emperor’s New Clothes," and the strategic ambiguity of innuendo, he demonstrates how common knowledge can trigger sudden social shifts. When a private truth becomes a public one, it creates a "coordination game" where individuals feel empowered to act, knowing they are part of a synchronized majority. The book extends this logic to the high-stakes realms of **money and power**, illustrating how the value of currency and the legitimacy of authorities rely entirely on mutual belief. Pinker posits that a dollar bill or a political regime only maintains its strength as long as there is common knowledge of its worth or stability; once that shared certainty is punctured, hyperinflation or revolution can occur almost overnight. Through his signature blend of cognitive science, linguistics, and game theory, Pinker demystifies how humans navigate complex social hierarchies. He reveals that our ability to manage what "everyone knows" is not just a quirk of communication, but a fundamental biological tool for maintaining cooperation and managing conflict in a crowded world. Bring an open mind and a smile! I hope to see you there.

For our second meeting let’s read The Devil In The White City by Erik Larson. Synopsis: Author Erik Larson imbues the incredible events surrounding the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with such drama that readers may find themselves checking the book's categorization to be sure that 'The Devil in the White City' is not, in fact, a highly imaginative novel. Larson tells the stories of two men: Daniel H. Burnham, the architect responsible for the fair's construction, and H.H. Holmes, a serial killer masquerading as a charming doctor. Burnham's challenge was immense. In a short period of time, he was forced to overcome the death of his partner and numerous other obstacles to construct the famous "White City" around which the fair was built. His efforts to complete the project, and the fair's incredible success, are skillfully related along with entertaining appearances by such notables as Buffalo Bill Cody, Susan B. Anthony, and Thomas Edison. The activities of the sinister Dr. Holmes, who is believed to be responsible for scores of murders around the time of the fair, are equally remarkable. He devised and erected the World's Fair Hotel, complete with crematorium and gas chamber, near the fairgrounds and used the event as well as his own charismatic personality to lure victims. Combining the stories of an architect and a killer in one book, mostly in alternating chapters, seems like an odd choice but it works. The magical appeal and horrifying dark side of 19th-century Chicago are both revealed through Larson's skillful writing. - John Moe https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/397483.The_Devil_in_the_White_City

Join us for a discussion of ***The Hollow Half: A Memoir of Bodies and Borders* by Sarah Aziza** Here's the summary: With the lucidity of a poet and the precision of a journalist, Sarah Aziza embarks on a quest to understand her family legacy, tracing three generations of diasporic Palestinians—from Gaza to the Midwest to New York City, and beyond In October 2019, Sarah Aziza, daughter and granddaughter of Gazan refugees, is hospitalized for an eating disorder. This brush with death becomes a rupture which brings both her personal and ancestral past into vivid presence. The hauntings begin in the hospital cafeteria, when a cup of apricot yogurt stirs the taste of Sarah's childhood, summoning the familiar voice of her deceased Palestinian grandmother. In the months following, as she responds to a series of ghostly dreams, Sarah unearths family secrets that force her to confront the ways her own trauma and anorexia echo generations of Palestinian displacement and erasure—and how her fight to recover builds on a century of defiant survival, and love. As silences break, heartbreak opens onto possibility. Sarah begins to grasp the ways her legacies echo and inform one another—through tragedy, and through love. She begins to resist the forces of assimilation, denial, and patriarchy, learning to assert herself in new ways that honor both her ancestors and herself. Weaving timelines, languages, and genres, The Hollow Half probes the contradictions and contingencies that create “history.” This stunning debut memoir ends in a cri de coeur for a world in which every body has a right to contain multitudes. **Let’s meet at Caboose Commons in Fairfax to enjoy some good discussion and meet new friends.**

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee is authentic, spacious, has a helpful staff, and I like their espresso. If you try this place on your own, they’re open early and late. This spot has been recommended a couple times and I think it’ll make a great stop on our journey. Come out Saturday morning for a relaxed convo. (Please keep your RSVP updated if you know you won't be able to attend, so others who can join have the opportunity to. No discussions on politics, religion or potentially controversial topics. We're here to relax and have fun. Just be respectful and we'll be alright. Pay your own way, and enjoy!)

Hey all! My name is Sarah, I'm a romance girlie in my twenties, and welcome to the Mostly Romance Book Club! I am a big mood reader so assigned books at book clubs don't really do it for me. I wanted to create a space where anyone can come with whatever book they want, meet new friends, and chat about what they've been reading. When: First and third Thursday of every month. 7-8:30 pm. Schedule: First 30 minutes: Introductions and chat about all things books Next 45 minutes: Silently read your personal physical book, ebook, or audiobook (yes audiobooks count :)) Last 15 minutes: Chat some more and wrap up the meeting Check the home page for zoom links. Up to 100 attendees so still join the zoom even if you can't sign up for the event.

Let's talk about it!

Curl up with a good book and a hot cup of your poison of choice. Maybe start a book club to talk about your favs and read together.