English Books & Literature

Connect new Networking in English $5! (Fees help us keep the event running.) Join Japanish for a fun mix of language, new networking opportunities—all in a friendly, supportive environment! Perfect for anyone eager to practice English and build a new community. ボードゲームで楽しむ英語の練習！ 参加費は5ドルだけ！（イベント運営に使います。） Japanish では、英語をメインに新しいネットワーキングの機会を楽しみながら、英語を学びたい人を繋げます！新しいコミュニティを作りたい方はぜひご参加ください！ 注) 連絡無しのドタキャンをされた方はブラックリストに載ります。 Note: Those who cancel last-minute without contact will be added to the blacklist.

Join us for **& Juliet**, a hilarious new musical that flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as Juliet ditches her famous ending! Critics and audiences alike are raving about this show! Check out the **[AUDIENCE VIDEO](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgjYUm8w7EE)**. Click on "Read more" below for full details. ***Our group has an early bird discount price of $64 (all fees included) in Balcony Rows C, D and E (including centre seats) and $87 (all fees included) in Orchestra Rows Q and R. Upgrades also available at early bird discount prices.*** **The Show:** Created by the Emmy® Award–winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek”, this hit musical asks: What would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Join on the ride as Juliet leaves her famous ending behind for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way.  Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name – all from the genius songwriter-producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it. Created by the Emmy® Award–winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek." *** **OUR DISCOUNT TICKETS** **Group Tickets:** * **$53** (regular $69 for Balcony Rows C, D and E) * **$76** (regular $99 In Orch Rows Q and R) **Other Discount Tickets:** * **$53** (regular $69 in Dress Circle Rows J and K) * **$76** (regular $99 for Dress Circle Rows G and H, and Balcony Rows A and B) * **$91** (regular $119 for Orchestra Rows L to P, Dress Circle Rows E and F) * **$113** (regular $149 for Orchestra Rows BB to DD and Rows E to K, Dress Circle Rows A to D) * **$199 Premium** (no discount in Orchestra Rows A to D centre and Dress Circle Row A centre) **Service Fee:** $11 per ticket ***No Meetup Fee*** *** **HOW TO PAY** 1\. Sign up on this event page 2\. Send an email to **belindameetup@gmail** to request the payment instructions 3\. Specify you are inquiring about **& Juliet** 4\. Include the name you use on this Thumbs Up Theatre website\. 5\. Indicate how many tickets you need\. 6\. Belinda will email you the payment instructions 7\. If you don't receive the instructions in your inbox\, check your junk box in case it has gone there Members must pay for their tickets in advance. Pick up your prepaid ticket(s) from Belinda at the meetup spot. \*\*\* **OVERVIEW** **Date:** Thursday April 23, 2026 **Time:** Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Meet Belinda between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the theatre. **Where:** Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King Street West, Toronto, Ont. **Show Length:** 2 hours, 30 minutes with intermission *** **ACCESSIBILITY** The Royal Alexandra Theatre is an old theatre and does **NOT** have an elevator to take you upstairs to the Dress Circle or Balcony. Our group discount tickets are in Balcony, but you can purchase upgraded discount tickets in Orchestra if you have difficulty climbing stairs. *** **MEETUP ARRANGEMENTS** Meet Belinda any time between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the left side of the lobby (as you enter the first set of doors) **inside** the theatre.She is very short and will be wearing a bright pink hat and bright pink glasses. Cell # (416) 879-7575 for use on day/time of show ONLY. **INTERMISSION MEETUP SPOT:** On the aisle beside Orchestra L27 and Balcony C30. **DINNER BEFORE SHOW:** Join other members at 5 p.m. at **[Lee Chen Asian Bistro](https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fleechenbistro.com%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7C9717b412e1784d12b0b208db4e7b1fc3%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638190062940403133%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=7W3lGI7WduPzs72q4ITnGG0HdQwnP4s8WyQ516xaeBU%3D&reserved=0)**, a restaurant featuring authentic Chinese food at 214 King Street West, Toronto. The restaurant is located about a block from the theatre. Members will receive their theatre ticket(s) at the restaurant if they dine there. Please message Belinda if you want to be included in the reservation. **[PLEASE NOTE OUR ZERO-TOLERANCE CELLPHONE POLICY](https://www.meetup.com/thumbs-up-theatre-toronto/events/243426512/)**

Baruch Spinoza's *Theological-Political Treatise* (1670), originally published anonymously, is one of the most important and controversial philosophical works of the early modern period. Aiming to "liberate the individual from bondage to superstition and ecclesiastical authority", the work has been characterized as one of the most significant events in European intellectual history, laying the groundwork for ideas about liberalism, secularism, and democracy. In it Spinoza discusses at length the historical circumstances of the composition and transmission of the Bible, demonstrating the fallibility of both its authors and its interpreters. He argues that free enquiry is not only consistent with the security and prosperity of a state but actually essential to them, and that such freedom flourishes best in a democratic and republican state in which individuals are left free while religious organizations are subordinated to the secular power. His Treatise has profoundly influenced the subsequent history of political thought, Enlightenment philosophy, Bible hermeneutics, and textual criticism more generally. The work attracted harsh criticism and vigorous attempts by religious leaders and conservative authorities to suppress his work entirely, with one critic describing it as being "Forged in hell by the apostate Jew working together with the devil". **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*** This is Day 1 of a two day conference presented by the University of Toronto's Centre for Ethics on the contemporary relevance of Spinoza's *Theological-Politico Treatise* (or *Tractatus Theologico-Politicus*) published in 1670. The conference is free to attend and open to the public. The Conference Schedule [Thursday, April 23rd](https://www.meetup.com/the-toronto-philosophy-meetup/events/314226963/) * 9:45 AM – Julie Klein (Villanova University) – OBEDIENCE * 11:00 AM – Daniel Garber (Princeton University) – THEOCRACY * 1:30 PM – Yitzhak Melamed (Johns Hopkins University) – POWER & RIGHT * 2:45 PM – Mélanie Zappulla (UW-Madison) – THE PEOPLE * 4:00 PM – [Michael Rosenthal](https://philosophy.utoronto.ca/directory/michael-a-rosenthal/) (University of Toronto) – THE JEWS [Friday, April 24th](https://www.meetup.com/the-toronto-philosophy-meetup/events/314352946/) * 10:00 AM – Jac Jacob Zellmer (UW-Madison) – FLATTERY * 11:15 AM – Justin Steinberg (Cornell University) – SEDITIOUS SPEECH * 1:45 PM – Willi Goetschel (University of Toronto) – FREEDOM OF THOUGHT * 3:00 PM – Jason Yonover (Yale University) – GENEALOGY 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

\*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.

*Note: this is an external event, hosted by an outside organization. We will meet 15 minutes prior to the event as a group.* **Event Description**: Su J Sokol and Rachel A. Rosen will be discussing the role of art - and speculative fiction in particular - as a tool of community organizing and social justice imagining, and fighting fascism. Moderated by Megan Kinch. Author panel, reading and Q&A with authors/activists Su J Sokol & Rachel A. Rosen Free! All welcome! **More Information:** * [https://www.facebook.com/events/st-stephen-in-the-fields-anglican-church-103-bellevue-ave-toronto/speculative-fiction-and-the-fight-against-fascism/938052088984656/](https://www.blogto.com/events/speculative-fiction-and-the-fight-against-fascism-toronto/) * [https://www.blogto.com/events/speculative-fiction-and-the-fight-against-fascism-toronto/](https://www.blogto.com/events/speculative-fiction-and-the-fight-against-fascism-toronto/)

\*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 $18 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.

*To join this event, you must be able to speak full sentences in Mandarin. This event is for those wanting to practice Mandarin and/or English. Here, you can chat with others and play board games in either language to improve your linguistic skills. Feel free to join our WeChat group during the event, as it is the best way to stay connected with us. If you have any questions, leave a comment on this event page. ＜中文版＞ 此活动是以聊天和玩桌游练习中文或英文，等级不限，平时有6-10位参加者。此活动微信群可在活动中加入，互相学习，天天向上。 如果您有任何疑问，请随时在活动页上留言或联系主持人

The next event is happening on Saturday April 25, at 10AM at the Indigo located in Sherway Gardens! Note this is a ticketed event, so registration is required. You can register here: https://ticketscene.ca/events/60627/

Hi everyone!! 💖 This is now our THIRD 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 continuing Born, Darkly (Book 1 of the Darkly Madly Duet) by Trisha Wolfe. Please read the first 20 chapters before coming so we have lots to discuss! 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!! 📚✨

For April, we'll read Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell 257 pages First published in 1853 About the book: Cranford depicts the lives and preoccupations of the inhabitants of a small village - their petty snobberies, appetite for gossip, and loyal support for each other in times of need This is a community that runs on cooperation and gossip, at the very heart of which are the daughters of the former rector: Miss Deborah Jenkyns and her sister Miss Matty, But domestic peace is constantly threatened in the form of financial disaster, imagined burglaries, tragic accidents, and the reapparance of long-lost relatives. to Lady Glenmire, who shocks everyone by marrying the doctor. When men do appear, such as 'modern' Captain Brown or Matty's suitor from the past, they bring disruption and excitement to the everyday life of Cranford.

#### **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！** *** We host a Japanese & English language exchange meeting every Sunday at 9:30 AM. Participants practice in pairs or small groups, with 50 minutes of Japanese practice and 50 minutes of English practice. The study materials used in our sessions are created by professional language teachers. ### **Before Signing Up, Please Read the Following** * **Please make sure to check the comments section of the event page, as all event details and materials will be shared there around Saturday.** * This meeting is intended for people who are genuinely interested in language learning. Participants joining for other purposes may be asked to leave. * We prioritize creating a safe and comfortable environment for all attendees. * Disruptive behavior, solicitation, or sales activities are not allowed. Anyone who does not follow the instructions of the organizer or staff may be removed from the group. * **Participation fee : Refunds and carryovers are not available.** ### **Participation Fee & Donation** Your participation fee will be used by Emiko Tanaka, a Yosakoi Ambassador, to promote Yosakoi Naruko Dance from Kochi, Japan, to the world. For more details, please visit our website: [Yosakoi Ambassador Project](https://yosakoiambassador.com/) We look forward to seeing you at the event!

Enfant illégitime, Yukio avait coutume de jouer au parc avec une fillette accompagnée de son père. Quand sa mère se marie et qu’ils déménagent de Tokyo à Nagasaki, il emporte le souvenir d’une promesse, de celles qu’on ne brise pas. Aki Shimazaki est une romancière et traductrice canadienne. Elle s’est installée au Canada en 1981, vivant à Vancouver et à Toronto. Depuis 1991, elle vit à Montréal, où elle enseigne le japonais et publie ses romans en français. Son deuxième roman, Hamaguri, a remporté le prix Ringuet en 2000.

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

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! 📖

Posting this early because seemingly all Sundays in May are holidays or busy! I picked a shorter thriller that's hopefully a fast read/listen. [Columbus library link to book](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3458940) Location: Grandview Cafe, *1455 W. 3rd Ave*, Columbus, OH 43212 [Menu](https://www.grandviewcafe.com/menu) Book summary: Daniel leads a rich life in the university town of Athens, Georgia. He's got a couple close friends, a steady paycheck working for a regional airline, and of course, for a few glorious days each Fall, college football tailgates. He considers himself to be a mostly lucky guy -- despite the fact that he's suffered from a debilitating disease since he was a small child, one that has left him unable to speak or to move without a wheelchair. Largely confined to his home, Daniel spends the hours he's not online communicating with irate air travelers observing his neighborhood from his front porch. One young woman passes by so frequently that spotting her out the window has almost become part of his daily routine. Until the day he's almost sure he sees her being kidnapped.

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.

Let’s meet and share our thoughts about Carson McCullers’ novella, The Ballad of The Sad Café.

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

Love getting lost in a good book? [The Book Loft](https://www.bookloft.com/) of German Village is an iconic independent bookstore packed with hard-to-find literary treasures! This isn’t your run-of-the-mill bookstore; it’s a 32-room literary wonderland that would make even the most seasoned bibliophile’s head spin (one of the largest in the country)! **MEET**: We'll gather outside the storefront and then start browsing... **DESSERT**: We'll grab some famous macaroons to start our foodie tour. [Pistacia Vera](https://www.pistaciavera.com/) is a delicious bakery and cafe in the German Village. This charming shop is especially known for its classic macarons. **LATE LUNCH:** *After we browse the bookstore maze, let's gather for the best traditional Jewish deli in town, [Katzingers!](katzingers.com) Choices include stacked Reubens, hot pastromi on rye, chicken salad, macaroni salad, knish, chicken soup, NY cheesecake, and dozens of other sandwiches and sides!* **PARKING**: Street parking all around here. Check the parking time limit. The bookstore and the foodie stops are all on 3rd Street within 4 blocks on the same side of the street.