English Books & Literature

🎆❄️ **New Year’s Day Walk: Toronto Island** **Walk off the hangover. Start fresh. Do something different.** Let’s be real — January 1st can go one of two ways: You stay on the couch all day… **or** you step outside, breathe in fresh air, move your body, and actually start the year feeling good. Join us for a **New Year’s Day walk on Toronto Island** — the perfect way to **reset after the night before**, try something new, and maybe even make a few new friends while you’re at it. Yes, I will be hungover. That’s why we’re starting at **1:15 PM** 😏🍾 Being surrounded by water and nature can be surprisingly calming. The Islands offer a quiet place to slow down, clear your head, and start the year feeling grounded — no mystical claims, just fresh air and space to think. Whether you’re setting healthy intentions, shaking off the fog, or just refusing to let January win — this walk is for you. “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” So layer up, grab your warmest coat, and let’s make **January 1st** a *choice*, not a write-off ❄️💪 Miss this and your New Year officially starts on January 2nd. Just saying. *** 🌆 **THE WALK** • Approx. **7 km** • Flat, easy, and very walkable — no hills • One of the **best skyline views** of Toronto • Calm, scenic, and surprisingly magical in winter Perfect for beginners, casual walkers, and anyone trying to ease back into movement after the holidays. *** ⚠️ **IMPORTANT NOTES** • This walk happens in **any kind of weather** — snow, cold, crisp winter vibes • **Do not sign up** if you’re not ready to walk in winter • Event will only be cancelled if it reaches **-20°C** *** 🕓 **MEETUP DETAILS** 📍 **Meetup Location:** 📍 **IMPORTANT: MEETUP LOCATION (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)** I will be meeting everyone **INSIDE the Ferry Docks** — **INSIDE means AFTER your ticket has been scanned** and you are **in the ferry waiting area**. 👉 **This is NOT:** • The bathrooms **outside** the terminal • The bathrooms **before** ticket scanning • The other side of the ferry terminal • Anywhere outside the building 👉 **This IS:** • **After** your ticket has been scanned • **Inside** the ferry waiting area • Beside the **bathrooms INSIDE the terminal** 👀 **How you’ll spot me:** I’ll be wearing my **MOOSE HAT** 🦌 ⏰ **Meetup Time:** **1:15 PM** 🚢 **Ferry Leaves:** **1:30 PM** — *please arrive early* ⏰ **Ferry Back to Toronto:** **4:45PM** (or sooner) ⚠️ **PLEASE BE ON TIME** Once we’re on the ferry, it will be very hard to catch up with us. *** 💲 **COSTS** • **Meetup Fee:** $5 – Cash in person **or** – E-transfer to **mathewmaclean@hotmail.com** • **Ferry Ticket:** **$9.70** – You **must purchase your ferry ticket before signing up** – 🎟️ **Ferry Ticket: [Click Here!](https://secure.toronto.ca/FerryTicketOnline/tickets2/index.jsp)** *** 🎒 **WHAT TO BRING** • Snack • Water • **Good boots** • Warm coat • Something warm to drink ☕ *** ⏳ **HOW LONG?** Approx. **3 hours**, including a small break. 🚪 **Can you leave early?** Anytime you like. 👀 **NOT SURE YOU CAN MAKE IT?** You can **just show up** or even decide on the day — New Year energy is flexible. *** 📱 **Don’t forget to join our WhatsApp group** – [CLICK HERE!](https://chat.whatsapp.com/H59mSCbsAi018gYANrKAnc?mode=ac_t) ⚠️ **NOTE:** Sometimes things happen and I may need to cancel — please keep an eye out for updates. *** ✨ Fresh air. Movement. Skyline views. Good people. ✨ A healthier start to the year — without pretending you’re perfect. **Organizer:** Mathew 📧 **torontomoviesandoutings@hotmail.com**

January 1st | Downtown Toronto — Don Valley Urban Hike + Movie & Café Start the new year with movement, fresh air, and good company. This is a relaxed New Year’s Day social that flows from a scenic urban hike through the Don Valley, into a movie downtown, and ends with a cozy café hangout. No pressure, no rush — just an intentional, feel-good way to begin the year. What we’ll do (in order) 1️⃣ Don Valley Urban Hike Meet at Broadview Station Hike through the Don Valley Trail, moving from city streets into nature and back toward downtown Distance: ~12 km total Pace: steady and conversational, with breaks as needed This is a beautiful winter urban hike — peaceful, grounding, and a great way to reset on January 1st. 2️⃣ Movie (optional) End the hike near Cineplex Yonge–Dundas Square Watch the new release: Avatar: Fire and Ash Think of this as your post-hike reward — totally optional, but fun if you stay. 3️⃣ Wind-down at Juju Café After the movie, we’ll head to Juju Café & Board Games $5 board game play fee Warm drinks, food, vegetarian-friendly options Board games optional — relaxing and chatting encouraged What to bring Comfortable walking shoes Weather-appropriate layers Water / light snacks An easygoing mindset You’re welcome to join for any part — just the hike, the movie, the café — or the full flow. Come as you are. Start the year moving forward, one step at a time.

A quiet group walk where members connect through presence. Please rsvp up to 30mins before the start time to register your interest. We’ll meet at Tim Hortons to begin our walk.

Having dim sum is always a great way to start the new year. Joyous Chinese Cuisine has a big dim sum selection with great food so it should be a dim sum feast. The address of the restaurant is: Joyous Chinese Cuisine 5505 Leslie St. North York, ON M2H 3N6 Phone: (416) 497-2888 joyouschinesecuisine.ca **Billing:** Please note, dim sum orderings are shared among the table and final bill is equally split. I expect the bill to come out to around $45 per person. Please bring cash for the food bill. **Dietary notes:** If you have vegetarian, vegan, allergic to certain foods, or don’t eat beef, pork, fish, or seafood, this Meetup may not be suitable for you. **Please come to the restaurant on time:** Although I reserved us a table at the restaurant, we are at the restaurant at a prime hour. Please contact me if you are running late. The restaurant may give away seats or reduce our table size when people are not there on time.

Join us for an exciting Language Exchange Night at the Northeast Asian Social Club! This event is perfect for those looking to improve their language skills while connecting with like-minded individuals. Whether you are a beginner or advanced speaker, this event offers a casual and laid-back environment to practice speaking, listening, and learning with others. Come prepared to engage in conversations in various languages from the Northeast Asian region, including Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, and more. Don't worry about making mistakes, as this is a judgment-free zone focused on fostering cultural exchange and language learning. Meet new friends, expand your language skills, and have a great time at our Language Exchange Night!

THE START OF THE NEW YEAR IS HERE YAY! HAPPY 2026. After the language event ends, we will play a board game to celebrate the New Years for fun. I will bring 2-3 games to share with everybody. If interested, please dm in the event attending page. Thank you! ^^ This is a paid event so please everybody please be responsible and pay $5 in cash in person when you see me. Welcome to our 🍁Toronto & Japan Cultural Club 🍙 \| Language Exchange event\! Thank you for joining and attending our event\.'' Please spread the word to your friends if they are interested to join\, it will really help if Japanese people also joined\! We need more people in order for this work\! ✨ **We’re currently looking for Japanese and English enthusiasts who want to help bridge the cultures of Japan and Canada while sharing amazing language and cultural experiences together!** We can’t wait to meet you! ^>^ \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ **\~ Before Joining: Event Instructions \~** **🌟 Criteria #01: English Learners** Everyone is welcome—complete beginners to advanced learners! Bring your notes, apps, journals, or anything that helps you study. The more the merrier! **🌸 Criteria #02: Native Japanese Speakers & Japanese Learners** Learning English? New to Canada? Come join us! We just ask that you can **chat comfortably in English** so you can help our English learners during conversations. If you can **read and write in Japanese**, that’s an awesome bonus and super helpful for those practicing Japanese! **🌸 We will provide Japanese study work sheets and learn to navigate the difficulty of learning how to speak and write! The worksheets will be for beginner, Intermediate, and advance level. Japanese native speakers are going to help us and achieve that goal!** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ **🌸 Please arrive on time—Tristan will have signs and seating ready so you can team up in comfy groups of 2–4 people.** Your support helps our club grow! All contributions go toward the organizer so we can keep hosting **fun, creative events**—and as our community gets bigger, we’ll add even more activities like **karaoke, group dinners, seasonal parties, and gaming nights** 🎉 **🌸**This is **a paid event** to help support the organizer and the club to keep going. **🌸Please Pay $5 in person to Tristan. Once payment is recieved in person, you will be seated with Japanese - English exchange partners. In groups of 2-4 people.** **🌸 No refunds on the day of the event is held and if you are on the wait list, you will be moved to the going list! Please inform us by dm incase you are late on your first day!** Language event rule: This is a place where we practice both speaking Japanese and English speaking. No food is allowed even though it is a food court, you are allowed to buy drinks for yourself, but please respect the members and respect their space! We don't want to make them feel uncomfortable. We want to make this event a fun and safe place. Thank you!

**～English description below～** イベント参加費として、日本人の方(日本で生まれ育ち、現在英語を勉強している方)は$2、日本人以外の方(日本語を勉強している方)は$5頂いております。 皆さんから頂いたお金は、こちらのサイトの維持費や将来のランゲージエクスチェンジ施設利用料やソーシャルイベント等のために使われます。ご理解の程、よろしくお願いいたします。 予約受付開始：土曜日5:30PM(前イベント終了後) 予約取消締切：土曜日12:30PM(当日) 予約受付締切：土曜日1:30PM(当日) スケジュール * 5:15 PM - 5:30PM - チェックイン、グループ分け 5:30 PM - 6:15PM - 日本語の時間［または英語の時間］ 6:15PM - 7:00 PM - 英語の時間［または日本語の時間］ イベント内容 ・対面でのLanguage Exchangeを再開しています！参加者のレベルに応じて、事前にオーガナイザーが3〜4名のグループをつくり、そのメンバーで各45分間、それぞれ英語と日本語でセッションを行なっていただきます。決まったディスカッショントピックなどはございませんので、気軽にフリートークや質問をしながらそれぞれのセッションを楽しんでいただければと思います。 ・体調が優れない方、あるいはここ数日中に体調が優れない人との接触があった方は、申し訳ありませんが参加をお控え願います。 開催場所：Atrium フードコート 地下鉄Dundas駅と直結していますが、多少分かりにくいため、特に初めて参加される方は次の方法で来れることをおすすめします。 1. Dundas駅から地上に出ていただき、Dunsas Streetを西にまっすぐ3分ほど歩いていただきます。 2. Bay Streetとの交差点北東角にある階段を降りてください。 3. 階段を降りた場所にある入り口から入ったところがフードコートですので、そちらでTJEXのサインボードを持ったオーガナイザーにお声がけください。(わからなければメッセージをお願いします！) 予約規約（⚠️重要） ・当日の不参加、もしくは15分以上の遅刻(5:45PM以降)、また予約取消締切後の変更(13:00以降)は原則不参加(No-Show)とみなします。不参加(No-show)が3回になりますと会員登録が抹消され、退会となりますのでご注意ください。 ・イベントに遅れそうな場合は必ずオーガナイザーまでメッセージをお願いします。イベント開始時間にいるメンバーでグループを組み直すこともあるので、連絡なしで到着された場合はイベントに参加できない可能性もあります。原則、30分以上遅れての参加はご遠慮いただいております。あらかじめご了承ください。 キャンセル待ち ・満席の場合、”キャンセル待ち”リスト(waiting-list)にご登録いただくことが可能です。“参加予定”リスト（going-list)中に空席が発生した場合は、”キャンセル待ち”への登録が早かった方を優先に、”参加予定”へ移動いただけます。 ※ご注意※ ・空席ができた際は、自動的に”キャンセル待ち”より”参加予定”へ変更されます。この時にMeetupよりお知らせがあるかはわかりません。 ・システムにより自動的に”参加予定”とされ、それに気づかずに参加しなかった場合でも、不参加とみなされますのでご了承ください。 ・上記の理由により、確実に参加できる場合のみ”キャンセル待ち”への登録をお願いします。予定が入ってしまった場合は、”キャンセル待ち”にいる場合も必ずイベント当日の午後1時までに予め”不参加”リストに移動させてください。 質問 こちら (https://www.meetup.com/tjex-ca/pages/1274142/FAQ/)をご参照ください。または、オーガナイザーまでお問い合わせください。 Instagramアカウント @tjex.ca 最新情報やミートアップの様子を掲載しています。 ぜひこちらもフォローお願いします！ **\*\*\*Although our group is a non-profit organization, we collect $ 5per member for every event. These proceeds are used to run this website, for social events and room booking fees for future sessions. Thank you for your kind understanding.** RSVP open: 5:00 PM (Saturday after previous event) RSVP cancel deadline: Saturday, 12:30 PM (day of the event) RSVP close: Saturday, 1:30 PM (day of the event) * 5:15 PM - 5:30 PM - Check-in and Group placement 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM - Japanese half [or English] 6:15 PM - 7:00 PM - English half [or Japanese] Event Description * This is an in-person language exchange! Members are placed into groups of three or four based on their language level. Each 45 minute session consists of friendly casual conversation, and/or informal study. Event Location: Atrium Food Court * The food court is directly connected to the Dundas subway station, although it is a bit difficult to find. Especially for those who will join our event for the first time, we recommend the following directions, 1. Leave the subway station and walk west for about three minutes along Dundas Street. 2. At the intersection of Bay Street and Dundas Street, you will find an entrance. Proceed down the escalator. 3. The food court is on the basement floor. Please talk to the organizer with the signboard showing TJEX. (If you can’t find them, please send a message to the organizer.) ⚠️RSVP & Late Policy * Failure to show, arriving after 5:45 PM (15 minutes late), and cancelling after 1:00 PM on the day of the event all constitute a "no-show". Members are removed from the group after their third no-show. * If you are running late, please ensure you send a message to the organizer so we can keep a spot open for you. We will rearrange the groups for members who show up on time. If you show up late without letting us know, we will no longer allow you to join so please be mindful of the time. Waiting List: Members can join the waiting list if an event is full. In case a spot becomes available, it will be automatically assigned to a member on the waitlist on a first-come first-serve basis. PLEASE BE ADVISED: Members from the “Waiting” list are moved automatically to the “Going” list by the system when a spot opens up. You may or may not get a notification from Meetup when this happens. So only sign up on the “Waiting list” for an event if you are sure you can come for it. If the system automatically puts you on the “Going” list and you don't show up to the event, you will receive a strike. Group Instagram - @tjex.ca Feel free to follow us! Questions? We have answers! Please see our Frequently Asked Questions (https://www.meetup.com/tjex-ca/pages/1274142/FAQ/) page.

#### **This event page is for English speakers only.** **こちらのイベントページは英語話者の方向けです。** **日本人の方は、別のイベントページからお申し込みください！** *** #### ⚠️ This event is open **only to those who have attended our meetings at least 10 times**. If you do not meet this requirement, we kindly ask that you refrain from registering. ### **🎉New Year Party! 🎉** ### Let’s celebrate the start of 2026 together! **✨ What’s Happening ✨** * A shorter version of our usual language exchange * Fun games using both Japanese and English * Enjoy food, drinks, and great conversation with everyone 😊 Check out last year’s event [here](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDlbQ-7RD61/?igsh=NXZ3dHBhancwMmc2): *** ### **📣How to Apply：IMPORTANT‼️‼️‼️‼️** Participation will open on **Saturday, December 14th at 7:00 PM**. Please contact **Emiko via DM on the Meetup app**. **(*Do not message the Language Exchange Organizer account.*)** When sending your message, please **include all of the following information**. Applications missing any item **cannot be accepted**: 1. Full name 2. Mobile phone number 3. Email address 4. Have you attended our meetings **10 times or more**? 5. Are you **currently attending** our meetings on a regular basis? Only those who have attended **10 or more meetings** and who are **actively participating** are eligible to join this event. Participants will be accepted **on a first-come, first-served basis**, starting with those who meet all requirements and send a DM. Please note that DM replies will be sent **after December 15th**. We will not be able to reply on the 14th, and we appreciate your understanding. *** ### 📋 **Event Requirements** * **Eligibility**: Must have attended the 2026 Language Exchange ***at least 10 times*.** * **Fee**: CAD $10 (to cover venue rental) * **Location**: Party room in a condominium near Wellesley Station * **What to Bring**: * One dish worth approximately $20 * Your own drinks *(Food and drinks will not be provided by organizers.)* * **Capacity**: 30 participants * **Agreement Form**: * You will receive a form by email regarding responsibility for any damages within the venue. * Only participants who sign the form will be allowed to join. * **Event Details**: * Venue details will be emailed after we receive your signed agreement. *** ### ⚠️ **Important Notes** * To maintain balance between Japanese and non-Japanese attendees, **15 spots are reserved for Japanese participants**. * Alcohol is allowed, but please drink responsibly. * Participants who engage in disruptive behavior may be asked to leave and may be restricted from joining future Language Exchange events. *** Let’s make wonderful New Year memories together! We look forward to celebrating with you 😊

Come to our church on Sunday! We’re a welcoming bunch. Our website is nlife.ca

\*\*Let's make friends, learn English or study Japanese, and have fun :)\*\* \*\*英語と日本語を一緒に学びましょう！\*\* このイベントは、英語と日本語のラングエッジエクスチェンジです。英会話を学びたい方、ぜひご参加ください！ 1対1での会話なので、自分のペースでお話できます 🙆‍♀️ ■ 日時 : 毎週日曜 16時\~18時 ■ 場所 : The foodcourt inside North York Centre building on east side of Yonge Street, nearby to Subway restaurant and Booster Juice. ■ 費用 : 無料 ■ 詳細 : 1セッション40分(英語20分、日本語20分)。2セッション行います。セッション毎に会話の相手を変えて行います！ ■ 参加人数 : 最大14人 / 7組 ※ 基本的に1対1での会話ですが、どうしても人数が揃わない場合は3人1組での会話となります。 ■ 参加条件 英語学習者: 日本人、もしくは日本語をネイティヴレベルで話せる方 日本語学習者: 英語を母国語とされる方、もしくは英語をネイティブレベルで話せる方 ■ 注意事項 1.イベントへのサインアップは、月曜日の午前8時～金曜日の午後8時までとなっております。 2.当イベントは、1対1でのラングエッジエクスチェンジのため、主催者側で人数に偏りがでないよう調整させていただいております。したがいまして、サインアップ(=参加表明)後は、以下の流れで参加可否が決定されます。 ① サインアップ後は自動的にまず”Waiting list”に入ります。 ② 人数調整に問題がない場合、主催者側が”Going”に登録します。 ※ やむを得ず欠席する場合は、遅くとも2日前までに主催者へご連絡ください。 ※ 無断欠席された場合は、次回以降Waiting listの最後に登録され、参加への優先度が低くなりますのでご注意下さい。 ※ 無断欠席が続いた場合は、グループから削除される場合があります。ご了承ください。 ※ 1対1のイベントのため、時間厳守でお願いいたします。 See you soon! お会いできるのを楽しみにしています ☺️ —— This is a language exchange for those who are primarily interested in 1-on-1 conversation practice for English and Japanese. \*\*Timetable \*\* Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm (Eastern Time Zone) There are two sessions. Each session runs 40 minutes with half of it in English and the other half in Japanese. We will change partners after 40 minutes. \*\*Event Capacity: 14 members max (7 pairs)\*\* Group Size (2 people, max 3) See you soon! \*\*Minimum Requirements: ⚡ \*\* Please note that all English speakers must meet the \*\*minimum requirement\*\* of being able to read \*\*some\*\* \*\*Hiragana\*\* or \*\*Katakana\*\* before joining the group. This is to ensure that we all members can actively participate and take part in our one on one language exchange. If you do not meet this requirement, we encourage to take Japanese lessons before joining our group. \*\*RSVP Rules **😁** \*\* 1\. RSVP opens on Monday at 8:00am and closes on Fri night at 8:00pm\. 2.To be fair to all members, all RSVP’s will be automatically moved the wait list until the organizer assigns partners and confirms your attendance by changing your status to "Going". This is to ensure that everyone can be paired with a native speaker of the language that they are learning. If you are confirmed and need to change your RSVP, please be considerate to your partner but giving us at least two days prior notice. No shows will be moved to the bottom of the waitlist for future events. If you are a repeat no show, you may be removed from the group. Attendees who are not confirmed for this event and show up will be asked to leave and sign up for the next event to members who are confirmed for this meet up. Pairing will be announced by 10pm the day before so please ensure that you check the event page to find out who your partner is before attending. Practise your English or Japanese and make some International Friends across North York and Toronto! Join us whether you are studying English, am interested in Japanese Culture, Language & Culture, or are simply just looking for Cultural Activities or making friends. We welcome anyone across the Greater Toronto Area from North York, Downtown Toronto, Scarborough, Richmond Hill, Markham, Mississauga, Brampton, etc.

Join us for our in-person Saturday critique session! We'll be meeting in the basement of **The Blake House**, which is located near Wellesley and Jarvis, about a 10-minute walk from Wellesley Station or Sherbourne Station. **In respect to the Blake House for hosting us, we humbly request that attendees purchase a meal, dessert, or drink if you are able to do so.** Feel free to bring in a piece of writing up to **2000 words** for reading and critique. Please bring paper copies so that listeners can easily follow and make notes. Dedicated listeners are equally welcome. In larger groups, please be mindful of giving everyone a fair chance to speak. Our group values and meeting structure can be found here: [https://www.torontosffwriters.com/sff-writer-rules-and-guidelines](https://www.torontosffwriters.com/sff-writer-rules-and-guidelines) We ask that writers provide content warnings when necessary. To limit the spread of diseases, we kindly ask that you stay home if you're feeling sick. We will be here every week! **\*\*We support the hard work and effort that goes into writing fiction, and do not condone the use of AI to replace the creative process.\*\*** And, that's everything! See you there!

❄️🚶‍♂️ **JANUARY WALK: SPADINA ➡️ WATERFRONT + LUNCH & DAY DRINKING** 🍔🍹 **Because winter doesn’t scare us — we scare winter.** “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” So layer up, grab your cutest toque, and let’s make January our personality 😏 Join us for a **city walk through some of Toronto’s most iconic neighbourhoods**, ending with lunch, drinks, and that smug feeling you get when you actually *leave the house in winter*. Miss this and your January will officially be beige. FOMO will be real. *** ### THE WALK 🗺️✨ We’ll start at **Spadina Station** and head south, soaking up the city one fabulous step at a time. • **Kensington Market** 🛍️ – over 100 years of history, culture, and vibes. From its roots as a Jewish market to the many immigrant communities that shaped it, this place is Toronto’s heartbeat. • **Chinatown** 🏮 – now home to many Asian communities, buzzing with markets, food, and energy. • **Graffiti Alley** 🎨 – yes, *world-famous*. Iconic murals, photoshoot moments, and peak Toronto cool. • **Mueseum of Toronto** 🖼️ **-** This is free a mueseum - Mr. Dressup to Degrassi: 42 Years of Legendary Toronto Kids TV • **The Well** 🏗️ – shiny, new, and very “Toronto glow-up.” • **Crumbl Cookies** 🍪 – because walking burns calories and we deserve happiness. • **Waterfront** 🌊 – fresh air, winter drama, and main-character energy. After the walk, we’ll head for **lunch and drinks at a local spot**. Did someone say **day drinking???** 👀🍹 *** ⚠️ **IMPORTANT NOTES** • This is **NOT a historic walking tour** — it’s an introduction to neighbourhoods and communities (with commentary when the mood strikes). • This walk happens **rain, snow, cold, drama, or vibes** ❄️ • **Do not sign up** if you’re not prepared to walk in winter. • Event will only be cancelled if it hits **-20°C** (because we are brave, not reckless). *** ### MEETUP DETAILS 🧤🧣 📍 **Meetup Location:** Outside the **main exit of Spadina Station** 👀 **How you’ll spot me:** I’ll be wearing my **MOOSE HAT**. You can’t miss it. ⏰ **Meetup Time:** 11:00 AM (I wait **5 minutes**, because winter waits for no one) 🏁 **End Point:** **Shoeless Joe’s** for lunch! 💰 $5 (cash 💵 or e-transfer 📲 to \*\*[mathewmaclean@hotmail.com**](http://mathewmaclean@hotmail.com%2A%2A/)) You can send it before or on the day of the walk. 👟 **PLEASE WEAR GOOD SHOES OR BOOTS** — this is a long walk and icy sidewalks are sneaky. *** ### WHAT TO BRING 🎒 • Water • Good walking shoes or boots • A snack • A sense of humour about the cold *** ⏳ **HOW LONG?** About **3 hours**, including a small break. 🚪 **Can you leave early?** Absolutely — Irish goodbye anytime. 👀 **NOT SURE YOU CAN MAKE IT?** Just show up. Literally. January is hard enough. 📱 **Don’t forget to join our WhatsApp group** – [CLICK HERE!](https://chat.whatsapp.com/H59mSCbsAi018gYANrKAnc?mode=ac_t) Get updates, chat with other walkers, and stay in the loop for future events! *** Mathew is the organizer for this meetup. If you need to contact him, please post on the wall or email: 📧 **torontomoviesandoutings@hotmail.com** ✨ Bundle up. Come walk. Eat cookies. Drink in daylight. If you miss this… yeah. You’ll hear about it. ❄️🔥

I don't usually pick romance but I really wanted to do a Hanukkah book. It's a bit on the longer side but hopefully a quick read. The library only has 5 audiobooks so please try to remember to "release it" when you're done. Columbus libraries: [https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3503238](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3503238) Location: The Goat Riversouth [219 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215](https://www.google.com/maps?q=219%20South%20High%20Street%2C%20Columbus%2C%20Ohio%2043215%2C%20United%20States) [Menu](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/686d3ed16745133042482c5f/t/68ff654dbb03b96875430bde/1761568077220/all_brunch-20250311.pdf) Book summary: Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is a nice Jewish girl with a shameful secret: she loves Christmas. For a decade she’s hidden her career as a Christmas romance novelist from her family. Her talent has made her a bestseller even as her chronic illness has always kept the kind of love she writes about out of reach. But when her diversity-conscious publisher insists she write a Hanukkah romance, her well of inspiration suddenly runs dry. Hanukkah’s not magical. It’s not merry. It’s not *Christmas*. Desperate not to lose her contract, Rachel’s determined to find her muse at the Matzah Ball, a Jewish music celebration on the last night of Hanukkah, even if it means working with her summer camp archenemy—Jacob Greenberg. Though Rachel and Jacob haven’t seen each other since they were kids, their grudge still glows brighter than a menorah. But as they spend more time together, Rachel finds herself drawn to Hanukkah—and Jacob—in a way she never expected. Maybe this holiday of lights will be the spark she needed to set her heart ablaze.

**Our January novel is: Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan** **This month's featured novel is a 20th-century biographical fiction, coming-of-age, historical romance, women’s fiction, world literature, student biography, heartfelt, magic, and feel-good novel. The book is 311 pages in print and 7 hours and 8 minutes on audiobook.** 1950: Margaret Devonshire (Megs) is a seventeen-year-old student of mathematics and physics at Oxford University. When her beloved eight-year-old brother asks Megs if Narnia is real, logical Megs tells him it's just a book for children, and certainly not true. Homebound due to his illness, and remaining fixated on his favorite books, George presses her to ask the author of the recently released novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe a question: "Where did Narnia come from?" Despite her fear about approaching the famous author, who is a professor at her school, Megs soon finds herself taking tea with C. S. Lewis and his own brother Warnie, begging them for answers. Rather than directly telling her where Narnia came from, Lewis encourages Megs to form her own conclusion as he shares the little-known stories from his own life that led to his inspiration. As she takes these stories home to George, the little boy travels farther in his imagination than he ever could in real life. After holding so tightly to logic and reason, her brother's request leads Megs to absorb a more profound truth: "The way stories change us can't be explained. It can only be felt. Like love."

Join us for Slow Horses and a Book Exchange! In addition to our usual chat about the book, we’ll be exchanging books. Bring two books you’re willing to part with and we’ll exhange books. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Welcome to the thrilling and unnervingly prescient world of the slow horses. This team of MI5 agents is united by one common bond: They've screwed up royally and will do anything to redeem themselves. This special tenth-anniversary deluxe edition of a modern classic includes a foreword by the author, discussion questions for book clubs, and an exclusive short story featuring the slow horses. London, England: Slough House is where washed-up MI5 spies go to while away what's left of their failed careers. The "slow horses," as they're called, have all disgraced themselves in some way to get relegated there. Maybe they botched an Op so badly they can't be trusted anymore. Maybe they got in the way of an ambitious colleague and had the rug yanked out from under them. Maybe they just got too dependent on the bottle-not unusual in this line of work. One thing they have in common, though, is they want to be back in the action. And most of them would do anything to get there-even if it means having to collaborate with one another. When a young man is abducted and his kidnappers threaten to broadcast his beheading live on the Internet, the slow horses see an opportunity to redeem themselves. But is the victim really who he appears to be?

Join us for our January Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *Can't Spell Treason Without Tea* by Rebecca Thorne in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

We’ll be reading Brigands and Breadknives by Travis Baldtree this month! We recommend readingading “Bookshops and Bonedust” and “Legends and Lattes” before reading Brigands and Breadknives.