Islington Reads book club is open to all ages, genders and identities and to members and non-members of Islington United Church.
Islington Reads offers participants the opportunity to read some great books and connect with other readers in a meaningful way.
Our next book and author have been confirmed! We will be meeting with Claire Ross Dunn to discuss her book At Last Count on April 18, 2023 at 7 p.m. All books discussed at Islington Reads are available for purchase at A Novel Spot Bookshop. A limited number are available from the church library. Please contact Anne Marriott at anne.marriott@gmail.com if you need to borrow a copy of the book.
A GLOBE AND MAIL BEST BOOK OF 2022
AS FEATURED IN TORONTO STAR, ZOOMER MAGAZINE, AND ON CBC’S ONTARIO MORNING AND GLOBAL TV
For readers who love Mark Haddon, Miriam Toews, and Sally Rooney
Paisley Ratchford is trying to keep it together, but in eight weeks, the Toronto apartment building she lives in will be demolished. A last-ditch effort to reclaim her abandoned childhood home on Amherst Island plunges Paisley into memories of growing up in the tight-knit community, and into the obsessive compulsive disorder that has only ever offered a semblance of control. Her compulsion to count in sets of eight had little effect on thwarting bullies, her father’s bad luck, and her mother’s mental illness—all of which return to haunt her.
When help arrives in the form of Paisley’s old classmate and tormentor Garnet Mulligan, her predicament only worsens. For a shot at a future, Paisley needs to stare down her past, including all the habits that have stopped her from thriving. At Last Count is a wise and often laugh-out-loud funny tale that proves we don’t always need to believe everything our brain tells us.
Friends of Islington and Islington Reads,
As you prepare for the season of giving and sharing of stories, books can play an important part in our holidays – a soft place to land, to curl up and escape, to grow deeper in knowledge and Spirit. Here are some of Rev. Maya Landell’s suggestions for your giving or getting list.
This list has been curated by and has the bonus link of meeting the author through Islington Reads.
On January 17, 2023, Clare Pooley joined Islington Reads to discuss her novel, Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting.
On November 1, 2022, Louise Michalos joined Islington Reads to discuss her novel, Marilla Before Anne.
On September 20, 2022, Reema Patel joined Islington Reads to discuss her novel, Such Big Dreams.
On June 7, 2022, Shelly Sanders joined Islington Reads to discuss her novel, Daughters of the Occupation.
On March 8, 2022, Marianne Cronin joined Islington Reads to discuss her first novel, The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot.
On January 11, 2022, Uzma Jalaluddin joined Islington Reads to discuss her most recent book, Hana Khan Carries On.
On November 2, 2021, Cedar Bowers joined Islington Reads to discuss her debut novel, Astra.
On September 14, 2021, Michael Crummey visited Islington Reads to discuss his novel, The Innocents.
June 2021: An interview with Lesley Crewe, author of The Spoon Stealer
May 2021: An interview with Abi Daré, author of The Girl with the Louding Voice
January 2021: An interview with Rachel McMillan, author of The London Restoration
This book is a beautifully written gift for the soul. It is an oasis of reflection in a busy season, and comes with a free journal and podcast.
Alphabet of Faith has informed Islington United’s community life all year, and bonus 26 reflections online from me. A great gift for someone you want to talk with about the openness of faith.
On Living Well gathers the best of Eugene’s writing, breadcrumbs of wisdom on a path of faith.
A Year with Rumi is beauty in words and poetry that follows the seasons of our lives.
On Living Well: Brief Reflections on Wisdom for Walking in the Way of Jesus by Eugene Peterson
A Year with Rumi: Daily Readings by Coleman Barks
October 2020: The Wide Circumference of Love by Marita Golden
August 2020: Have You Seen Luis Velez? by Catherine Ryan Hyde
July 2020: Let Me Be Like Water by SK Perry
There is no cost to participate. Books can be purchased at A Novel Spot Bookshop in Humbertown Plaza.
If you don’t wish to purchase the books, or aren’t in a financial position to do so, you can still participate. The church library has purchased a limited number of copies of the books and is making them available for lending. Please contact Anne Marriott, the church librarian, to reserve a copy (anne.marriott@gmail.com; 416-234-0796).
These books may also be available as ebooks through your local library or a partner library. Check online to find out.
If you want more information or have questions, we invite you to contact one of our committee members:
