Seeking out and supporting the arts and artists online, while enjoying the “fine balance” of our thriving book clubs

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An immense thank you to Toronto silent book club member Sue Reynolds for the introduction to our latest silent book club meeting report. Passionate about adventurous reading, animals and animal welfare, and Hollywood femmes fatales, Sue has also contributed previously to this blog, with a great review of Half Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan.

I have been very lucky during this past pandemic year that all of the bookclubs (silent and traditional) in which I participate have been able to carry on meeting and talking about books via zoom calls. It’s not quite the same as meeting at our much beloved coffee shop or in the park, but we have been able to connect, see each others’ faces, catch up on personal or neighbourhood news, and share our love of books and reading.

The global pandemic has sent many folks rushing off to their local libraries or bookstores as people rediscover reading, now that they have time on their hands and shops, gyms and pubs are closed. This is great news for writers and booksellers, and some bookstores have been flourishing, surely cause for celebration.

I would like to call attention to other art forms that have really taken a hit this past year, namely art that relies on live performance such as theatre, music and dance. These folks, those on
stage and those who work behind the scenes, have led the charge to bring their work to an online global audience. Some performers like Georgia’s Indigo Girls have used their streamed gigs to raise much-needed funds for food banks and other relief agencies.

The National Theatre in London, England has been streaming recorded plays to cinemas around the world for over a decade. During the early days of the pandemic NT Live streamed a different play every week, free of charge (although donations were gratefully accepted). Book lovers like us could watch innovative and exciting theatrical adaptations of Frankenstein, Jane Eyre, Treasure Island and Small Island.

Thanks to modern technology that allows streaming I have seen more plays, films, author interviews and concerts than at any other point in my life. I want to encourage other people to seek out plays, book readings, music and dance online and to support those artists who have kept us entertained and sane for the past year. We owe them a huge debt.

 

The latest combined reading list from our group brims with literary goodness to suit every taste, wethinks. (In addition to our zoom meeting, we got to discuss some of these books during a brief, masked, physically distanced meet-up at our favourite local park.) The titles featured in each of our reports combine print and digital versions of books, along with audiobooks (which are indicated separately, with narrator/performer information where possible). (And yes, you’ll find the book that inspired thoughts about maintaining a “fine balance” on this list!)

Emily's books

Kath's books

Vicki's books

Vicki and Jake heading to the park

Anita at the park

Jo at the park

Sue R at the park

Book-related articles, recommendations and more came up during this meeting’s discussions and chat, including:

  • These Precious Days by Ann Patchett (Harper’s Magazine, January 2021) – Many in our silent book club group are Ann Patchett fans. This captivating non-fiction piece by Patchett will warm the hearts of those fans, and is guaranteed to win her new ones.
  • Another recent Ann Patchett piece highly recommended by several silent book club members is How to Practice in The New Yorker.
  • Spacing is one of the most unique magazines on Canadian newsstands. The magazine uncovers the joys, obstacles and politics of Canada’s big cities by cutting through the cynicism that often pervades any discussion about urban issues. Spacing pushes readers to think critically about how they can shape the public spaces that surround their everyday lives. Learn more about their publications and other initiatives here.

Our previous silent book club meeting reports (online and in-person incarnations) and book lists are here.

You can also check out links to articles, CBC Radio interviews and more here – some with San Francisco-based Silent Book Club founders Guinevere de La Mare and Laura Gluhanich, and some with us here in east end Toronto.

Learn more about silent book clubs via Guinevere and Laura’s Silent Book Club web site. You can find information on meetings happening around the world and close to where you live. Some clubs are currently on haitus, but many are running virtual meetings in different formats. Please feel free to contact me for more information about our club and its offerings.

Stay safe, stay well, keep reading!

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