OWN developed, and continues to provide leadership in, several Toronto area book discussion groups. Two are held at branches of the Toronto Public Library, and one at the OWN office; groups meet once a month. Each group decides on format, book selection and time of meeting. Some groups have concentrated on feminist literature (broadly interpreted); others both read fiction and non-fiction. An effort is always made to ensure that there are sufficient copies of a chosen book available in the library system. Since the groups meet in public libraries, which provide free space and publicity, they are open to any interested woman.
The criteria for selecting books vary somewhat from group to group, but include:
* books must be relevant to women’s lives
* books may be current best-sellers or less well-known works of the past or the present
* choices are made based on the interest of the topic and the accessibility of the book so that all members will have the opportunity to read the book before the meeting at which it is discussed
* books vary, generally alternating fiction and non-fiction.
* authors chosen are mainly, but not always, women, with men’s viewpoints on women’s lives sometimes interesting and thought-provoking
Our groups at libraries across the city always welcome new members, and are an interesting way to interact with others in a stimulating environment.
Northern District
Contact: Gail Vallance, gailvallance@rogers.com
Meets third Wednesday of the month, 2-4 pm (except Dec., when it is 2nd Wed.)
At Northern District Library, 40 Orchard View (near Eglinton and Yonge), Room 224A
BOOK LIST for 2018
January 17 They Called Me Number One: Secrets and Survival at an Indian Residential School in Canada
– by Beverly Sellars
February 21 Longbourn
– by Jo Baker
March 21 Dancing Fish and Ammonites: A Memoir
– by Penelope Lively
April 18 Behind the Beautiful Forevers: LIfe, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity
– by Katherine Boo
May 16 Better Now: Six Big Ideas to Improve Health Care For All Canadians
– by Dr. Danielle Martin
June 20 Homegoing
– by Yaa Gyasi
July 18 Life in Code: A Personal History of Technology
– by Ellen Ullman
August 15 The Age of Hope
– byDavid Bergen
September 19 Orange is the New Black: My year in a Women’s Prison.
– by Piper Kerman
October 17 The Break
– by Katherena Vermette
Nov. 21 The Glass Castle
– Jeanette Walls
Dec. 12 Nutshell
– by Ian McEwan
(2nd week)
North York Central
Contact: Diane Meaghan, 416-509-5508, diane.meaghan at utoronto.ca
Meets first Wednesday of the month, 1:30-3:30 pm
At North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge St., Room 2
OWN Co-op
Contact: Olga Aplin, 416-868-0295.
Meets second Tuesday of the month, 2-4 pm
At OWN Co-op Building, 115 The Esplanade
Potential new members should contact Olga for information and registration.
