Joel

A Play or Screenplay: Picks for the Reading Challenge 2023

July 18, 2023 | Joel | Comments (0)

The lights go down, the curtains go up and then magic begins… Who hasn't attended a play or movie and found themselves at the end savouring particularly juicy moments of taut dialogue, hilarious one-liners or the majesty of a memorable speech? The great news is that we don't have to buy a second (or third) […]

A Book Written by an Indigenous Author Age 30 or Under: Picks for the TPL Reading Challenge 2023

March 24, 2023 | Joel | Comments (0)

To quote Whitney Houston out of context, the children are our future, or in this case, young authors. Young authors bring an immediate and fresh voice to their work. And in terms of social issues, young people’s voices are vital as they draw attention to new perspectives that affect us all but perhaps have a […]

In Memoriam: Authors Who Passed Away in 2022

December 22, 2022 | Joel | Comments (1)

Award shows often take a solemn moment during their telecasts for a video tribute “in memoriam” to those of their colleagues who have died in the previous year. It’s an opportunity to remember contributors to their industry who may have given delight years ago – “I didn’t even know they were still alive…”– or who […]

A Book that Takes Place in a Single Day: Picks for the TPL Reading Challenge 2022

November 10, 2022 | Joel | Comments (0)

There is something very satisfying about a book that takes place in a single day. As one reads, it can almost feel as if the story is taking place in real time. Moreover, while most days tend to blur into one another, we have all had the experience of certain days standing out, either for […]

A Book that Is a Retelling of Another Story: Picks for the 2022 TPL Reading Challenge

October 14, 2022 | Joel | Comments (0)

Why retell a classic story or work? If it was a classic, why does it need retelling? Perhaps like children who long to hear their favourite stories again and again, as readers we enjoy encountering familiar tales transformed by skilled authors into new creations or given modern clothes that refashion these stories and challenge us […]

Legends: New Baseball Books in 2022

September 29, 2022 | Joel | Comments (0)

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Tony Fernandez tags out a runner at second base. Tony Bock, photographer (Toronto Star). View on Digital Archive. Baseball has been played for almost 200 years. It may be slower than basketball and less popular than football (either kind), but it still attracts millions of fans to both professional and amateur […]

A Book About Solitude: Picks for the TPL Reading Challenge 2022

July 25, 2022 | Joel | Comments (2)

Over the last two years, many people have experienced solitude. The pandemic created many unexpected and unwelcome situations. People were suddenly forced into solitude or sometimes they craved it. Solitude is one of those concepts that reveals a lot about the person defining it. Is it a sad, lonely experience, or a time of contemplation […]