Book Swap

Call on 416-938-2223 to find me :) -Ritik

Use parallel working/body doubling to help focus on your project, art, trade critiques or zines, study reference books or just get inspired! Any focus or skill level welcome, we have had people coding, sewing and studying as well as drawing, Meet on the ground floor of the Toronto Reference Library! The organizer will be wearing a bright orange t-shirt.

{ EVENT is Sold-out. Full } Overview Join renowned art-historian Andrew Graham-Dixon as he discusses his revelatory new biography of the Dutch Master with novelist Teju Cole. **For centuries, the work of Johannes Vermeer, the Master of Delft, has beguiled the art world with its deceptively simple scenes of 17th century Dutch life**. Viewers have always sensed that the paintings contained a secret meaning, with no less a writer than Marcel Proust remarking that the work possessed something more than met the eye, but it was impossible to say just what it was. Vermeer has always remained elusive, making a fulsome biography almost impossible — until now. ***RESERVE your own FREE ticket--at the Eventbrite link I've included below*** In what the *Times Literary Supplement* calls "the best biography of Vermeer and the most complete analysis of his artwork that has ever been published," Andrew Graham-Dixon has revealed the enigmatic essence at the heart of Vermeer's work, opening up a radical new school of interpretation. In conversation with acclaimed novelist, critic, and photographer Teju Cole, Graham-Dixon will illuminate the best-kept secrets of this most supreme of all painters. **ABOUT THIS EVENT'S GUESTS:** **Andrew Graham-Dixon** is one of the leading art critics and presenters of arts television in the English-speaking world. He has presented numerous landmark series on art for the BBC and other independents, and his published works include *A History of British Art* (1995), *Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel* (2007), and *Caravaggio: A Life Sacred and Profane* (2010), which was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction. **Teju Cole** is a novelist, essayist, and photographer. He was the photography critic of the *New York Times Magazine* from 2015 until 2019. He is currently the Gore Vidal Professor of the Practice of Creative Writing at Harvard and a contributing writer to the *New York Times Magazine*. His published works include the novels *Open City* (2011) and *Tremor* (2023), which was named a book of the year by *Time*, *the Washington Post*, and *New York Magazine*; the essay collection *Known and Strange Things* (2016), which was shortlisted for both the PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay and the inaugural PEN/Jean Stein Award; and *Blind Spot* (June 2017), a genre-crossing work of photography and texts, which was shortlisted for the Aperture/Paris Photo Photobook Award and named one of the best books of the year by *Time Magazine.* https://tpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events/69a0bacc491b809c6f1cbdf7 **FREE Ticket link here:** https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/andrew-graham-dixon-teju-cole-vermeer-a-life-lost-and-found-tickets-1983799694288?aff=oddtdtcreator

\*These classes are not a language exchange, but instead are meant to be a step in between so that students feel confident maintaining in depth and grammatically correct oral conversations outside of class\* \***Meetup event numbers only tend to show new students registering and do not include returning students attending class.** **Per class, there is an average of 7 students.** The first 2 classes are free and then only cost between $15 and $35 depending on which type of class you want to continue with\* These French, English (For Spanish and French speakers only), and Spanish classes are primarily meant for adults who are travellers, or who are planning to live in a French, English, or Spanish-speaking country. The classes are primarily oral-based through guided conversations. They will teach you how to handle conversations in situations such as **"Going to the Convenience Store"**, **"Making Plans"**, **"Negotiating Prices"**, and **"Going out for a Drink"**. To ensure that students get used to using the language automatically, students will learn to maintain contextual conversations with timing before moving on to the next lesson. Call (647)787-9953, e-mail us info@monkeylingo.ca, or visit monkeylingo.ca for more information! **Online and private classes are also available!** No other language classes are as conversational as these ones. We guarantee it! Cheap parking can be found using the "Spot Hero" app.

\*These classes are not a language exchange, but instead are meant to be a step in between so that students feel confident maintaining in depth and grammatically correct oral conversations outside of class\* \***Meetup event numbers only tend to show new students registering and do not include returning students attending class.** **Per class, there is an average of 7 students.** The first 2 classes are free and then only cost between $15 and $35 depending on which type of class you want to continue with\* These English (For Spanish speakers or advanced learners only), French, and Spanish classes are primarily meant for adults who are travellers, or who are planning to live in an English, French, or Spanish-speaking country. The classes are primarily oral-based through guided conversations. They will teach you how to handle conversations in situations such as **"Going to the Convenience Store"**, **"Making Plans"**, **"Negotiating Prices"**, and **"Going out for a Drink"**. To ensure that students get used to using the language automatically, students will learn to maintain contextual conversations with timing before moving on to the next lesson. Call (647)787-9953, e-mail us info@monkeylingo.ca, or visit monkeylingo.ca for more information! **Online and private classes are also available!** No other language classes are as conversational as these ones. We guarantee it! Cheap parking can be found using the "Spot Hero" app.

Join us for ESL Cafe on Mondays nights at St Paul's Bloor Street. We have groups for all levels of English: Basic English, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. At ESL Cafe, you can practice English conversation, drink coffee (or tea) and have lots of fun meeting other interesting people!!

Join us for a classic Bitcoin Bay meetup, where we meet and discuss all the happenings in Bitcoin & Crypto, share and discuss our projects and ideas. * Looking for cofounders? Many people have found cofounders at Bitcoin Bay meetups! * Have a question? Seasoned community members will be happy to answer. * Want to talk to Bitcoin & Crypto people in real life instead of online? This is the place to be! Beginners and seasoned experts alike are welcome!

The next event is happening on Wednesday April 15 at 630 PM at Steadfast Brewery! Please RSVP if you're planning on coming so we can plan appropriately! To help cover the costs of meetup fees, we will be taking optional donations for this event. If you're inclined to, feel free to send any amount you're comfortable with to harresh.s@hotmail.com, or bring cash to the event. Please note that this is entirely optional and not required to join the event! All proceeds will go towards fees for this event and future events, as well as meetup fees.

ABCD Reads "**Interpreter of Maladies**" by Jhumpa Lahiri, a short story collection that won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2000. [[RESULTS](https://opavote.com/results/5165914897252352) of the poll for this event] **:: ABOUT THE BOOK ::** "Navigating between the Indian traditions they've inherited and the baffling new world, the characters in Jhumpa Lahiri's elegant, touching stories seek love beyond the barriers of culture and generations. In "A Temporary Matter," published in The New Yorker, a young Indian-American couple faces the heartbreak of a stillborn birth while their Boston neighborhood copes with a nightly blackout. In the title story, an interpreter guides an American family through the India of their ancestors and hears an astonishing confession. Lahiri writes with deft cultural insight reminiscent of Anita Desai and a nuanced depth that recalls Mavis Gallant." (from [Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5439.Interpreter_of_Maladies)) "With accomplished precision and gentle eloquence, Jhumpa Lahiri traces the crosscurrents set in motion when immigrants, expatriates, and their children arrive, quite literally, at a cultural divide. A blackout forces a young Indian American couple to make confessions that unravel their tattered domestic peace. An Indian American girl recognizes her cultural identity during a Halloween celebration while the Pakastani civil war rages on television in the background. A latchkey kid with a single working mother finds affinity with a woman from Calcutta. In the title story, an interpreter guides an American family through the India of their ancestors and hears an astonishing confession. Imbued with the sensual details of Indian culture, these stories speak with passion and wisdom to everyone who has ever felt like a foreigner. Like the interpreter of the title story, Lahiri translates between the strict traditions of her ancestors and a baffling new world." (from the [Toronto Public Library](https://tpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S234C194772)) **:: 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 next event is happening on Saturday April 18 at 2:30PM at Danu Social House! Please RSVP if you're planning on coming so we can plan appropriately! To help cover the costs of meetup fees, we will be taking optional donations for this event. If you're inclined to, feel free to send any amount you're comfortable with to harresh.s@hotmail.com, or bring cash to the event. Please note that this is entirely optional and not required to join the event! All proceeds will go towards fees for this event and future events, as well as meetup fees.

Join our **Spanish–English Language Exchange Meetup** and improve your conversation skills in a relaxed, social environment. This free event is perfect for anyone looking to practice Spanish or English while meeting new people in a cozy coffee shop setting. ### **🗣️ What You’ll Do** * Practice Spanish and English through real conversations * Join small groups and switch languages throughout the event * Learn practical vocabulary and everyday expressions * Build confidence speaking in a supportive environment ### **👥 Who Should Attend** * Spanish learners (all levels) * English learners (all levels) * Native speakers who want to help others * Anyone interested in language exchange and cultural connection ### **☕ Venue** We meet at a local coffee shop—just grab a drink and enjoy the conversation! ### **💸 Cost** **FREE event** (please support the venue by purchasing a drink) ### **🌟 Why Join?** Language exchanges are one of the most effective ways to learn. You’ll improve faster by speaking with real people, hearing authentic accents, and using the language in everyday situations. Whether you're a beginner or fluent speaker, you’ll find a welcoming community ready to practice and connect. **👉 RSVP now and start speaking with confidence!** **Héctor**

We’re back for another night of great conversation, community, and global connections. Whether you want to practice English, learn a new language, or simply make new friends from around the world, this is the place to be! ✨ **What to Expect:** ✅ Language Exchange 💬 – chat in French, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, and more! ✅ Live Music & Resident DJ 🎵 – groove while you mingle ✅ Fun Board Games 🎲 – challenge a new friend ✅ Arts & Crafts 🎨 – get creative ✅ Make New Friends 🗣️ – the more, the merrier! 📍 14 Madison Ave, Toronto, ON M5R 2S1 🕖 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM Come solo or bring a friend—either way, you’ll leave with new connections, good laughs, and even better vibes 💬✨🫶 💵 $5 Entry Fee at the Door This helps cover meetup essentials like games, name tags, stickers, and all the little things that make our events magical ✨ **CONTACT:** Terry (Organizer) 📲 E-transfer also available: tmg8@wealthsimple.me 🔗 Meetup: [https://www.meetup.com/TorontoBabel](https://www.meetup.com/TorontoBabel) 📘 Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/torontobabel](https://www.facebook.com/groups/torontobabel) 💬 WhatsApp: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/EYMdUw8XaxE5irFSNg5bt7](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EYMdUw8XaxE5irFSNg5bt7) 📸 Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/t.o.babel](https://www.instagram.com/t.o.babel) 👉 Check out our calendar to see what other events we have coming up and to RSVP: [https://www.meetup.com/TorontoBabel/#calendar](https://www.meetup.com/TorontoBabel/#calendar) **Note:** Toronto Babel is a friendly, welcoming, and safe space for all attendees. This is a language-focused event and not a dating or matchmaking event. Any form of harassment or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. If you experience or witness any issues, please inform one of the organizers. #TorontoBabel #LanguageExchange #TorontoEvents #ToDoToronto #LearnEnglish

*Homegoing* is the debut historical fiction novel by Ghanaian-American author Yaa Gyasi, published in 2016. Each chapter in the novel follows a different descendant of an Asante woman named Maame, starting in the 18th century with her two daughters, who are half-sisters, separated by circumstance: Effia marries James Collins, the British governor in charge of Cape Coast Castle, while her half-sister Esi is held captive in the dungeons below. Subsequent chapters follow their children and following generations. We will start our discussion at 7:30. Food and drink are available for purchase. The $3 fee helps to offset Meetup costs.

**Our April novel is: *The Hong Kong Widow* by Kristen Loesch** **This month’s novel blends gothic atmosphere with historical fiction and chilling horror, set against the haunting backdrop of China. The book is 368 pages in print and 10 hours and 42 minutes on audiobook.** In 1950s Hong Kong, Mei is a young refugee of the Chinese Communist revolution struggling to put her past in Shanghai behind her. When she receives a shocking invitation—to take part in a competition in one of the city's most notorious haunted houses, pitting six spirit mediums against one another in a series of six séances over six nights, until a single winner emerges—she has every reason to refuse. Except that the hostess, a former Shanghainese silent film star, is none other than the wife of the man who once destroyed Mei’s entire life. It is promised the winner will receive a fortune, but there is only one prize Mei wants: revenge. Decades later, the final night of that competition has become an infamous urban legend: The police were called to the scene of a brutal massacre but found no evidence, dismissing it as a collective hallucination. Mei knows what she saw, but now someone else is convinced they know what she did. She must uncover the truth about the last night she ever spent in that house—even if the ghosts of her past are waiting for her there. . . .

Welcome, readers! Our April read is **_Martyr!_ by Kaveh Akbar.** The story follows a young Iranian American poet grappling with grief, addiction, and the aching question of what makes a life meaningful. Drawn into an unexpected friendship with a terminally ill artist, he begins to confront faith, love, and the seduction of self-destruction. Lyrical, darkly funny, and emotionally piercing, the novel wrestles with beauty and despair in equal measure. It’s a story about longing—to be seen, to be forgiven, and to matter. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

* Second ever book club! April meet up. All are welcome. * The book will be Play Nice by Rachel Harrison (determined by votes from March Book Club. Let me know if you’d like a free digital copy of the book) * This event will be at the main library, meeting room 1B, the location will not be changed for this event due to the number of people attending, we will just add more chairs if needed! * Feel free to come whether or not you’ve started or finished the book ◡̈ * Small snacks will be provided. You’re welcome to bring your own snacks & drinks too! Starting in June I will try to keep future book clubs at the Dublin Library. Now that I understand their reservation system, I will be on top of it with booking that location as soon as the date is released for the month. Thanks for your understanding with the varying locations in the meantime.

Let's bedazzle some books while we discuss our April pick: Bloodguard by Cecy Robson! Book description: One hundred years. Tens of thousands of gladiators. And today, only one will rise… Everything in the Kingdom of Arrow is a lie. Leith of Grey thought coming to this new land and volunteering to fight in the gladiator arena—vicious, bloodthirsty tournaments where only the strongest survive—would earn him enough gold to save his dying sister. He thought there was nothing left to lose. He was wrong—and they took everything. His hope. His freedom. His very humanity. All Leith has left is his battle-scarred body, fueled by rage and hardened from years of fighting for the right to live another day. Then Leith meets Maeve, an elven royal who is everything he despises. Everything he should hate. Until the alluring princess offers him the one thing he needs most: a chance to win the coveted title of Bloodguard—and his freedom. But in a kingdom built on secrets and lies, hope doesn’t come cheap. Nor will his ultimate revenge… Event: Please bring your own book, journal, bookmarks, etc to bedazzle. If you have bedazzling supplies, please bring them as well. I will supply gems, glue, and picker tools, but if you have certain colors in mind, you may want to bring your own.

Join us for our April Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Stop Me if You've Heard This One](https://www.kristenarnettwriter.com/stopmeifyouveheardthisone)* by [Kristen Arnett](https://www.kristenarnettwriter.com/about) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

This month we’ll be reading Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb. Feel free to come even if you don’t finish the book!