I left Ottawa tired but happy. Thanks to Dolly and her snappy red car, I landed in Toronto just in time for my afternoon reading at the Toronto Public Library, Parliament Street Branch. My visit was part of the branch’s regular Tea & Books series, where a librarian selects books to recommend to patrons. I sat in on that part of the hour, and decided they’re onto something — giving people a taste of what the library has to offer seems like such a good idea.
That night, I gathered Toronto friends and family, along with Michelle Winters and Becky Blake, for a joint reading at Type Books, on Queen West. The staff there were welcoming and super-helpful. I thank them. There were beers afterwards, and I stayed up too late. Our early morning departure for Peterborough was not easy.
Thursday night, I returned to Peterborough’s The Spill, where I read last year, for a co-reading with Devon Code, author of In A Mist. I loved the story he read, and was so proud to be there with my brother, Jean-Claude Pigeon, who played before and after our readings. His musicianship just keeps improving, and it felt so good to hear him do his thing.
Here are some photos of these last few events.
With dear friend and recent Emmy-award nominee (!!) Jane Sobol.
Discussing the merits of various new acquisitions by the Toronto Public Library (or something like that) with lovely librarian Suzanne Fernando.
Me, Jane, Dolly, Ximena, Lara.
Becky Blake (L), me, and Michelle Winter (R), after our reading.
Devon Code reading from a wonderful story, which I think is called the Beneficiary.
Mine and Devon Code’s books, for sale at The Spill.
What a relief for my ears to be filled with live music, especially by this one: Jean-Claude Pigeon.
Bonus of this trip: time with my niece, Luna, here impersonating her mother.
on the shuttle back to Pearson. Sad, longing look at the Ontario countryside.
