TPL

July Book Club Roundup

Many branches take a break over the summer, when so many people are away and it is, sometimes, too hot to think. Some intrepid locations keeping going, however, so if you are craving some lively discussion and analysis, come and join us at one of these July Book Club meetings. 

Long Branch Library (To register call 416-394-5320.) Discussion Title: Raisin Wine by James K. Bartleman. Tuesday, July 29, 7-8 p.m.

New Toronto Library (To register call 416-394-5350.) Discussion Title: Latitudes of Melt, by Joan Clark. Wednesday, July 30, 7-8 p.m.

Can't make it to the Library? Check out our Online Book Club, Book Buzz at http://bookbuzz.torontopubliclibrary.ca/. The July discussion book is The Master by Colm Tóibín.

Hot Summer Programmes at Brentwood!

Summer is here, and we are getting geared up for some fun goings-on at Brentwood library!

Take a peek at our programme schedules here, and don't forget to print them out or mark them on your own calendar at home so you don't miss a thing!

For July's events: Download July_08_v2.doc

For August fun: Download Aug_08.doc

Call for registration or ticket information: 416-394-5240.

Words Out!: Teens Read in the Summer!

Teens: this year, we are giving you a summer reading club of your own!

It's called Words Out! and it will run from June 23 to August 23, 2008.

How can you be a part of it? You can start by registering at Brentwood Library's information desk. Then, read to win!

• Read a book or graphic novel, a get a stamp.
• Collect 3 stamps, fill out a mini-review on the back of your stampcard and drop it in the draw box.
• Start another stampcard and increase your chances to win!

Win what? We've got small prizes and big prizes, ranging from books to gift cards. Check out some of the big prizes on the Words Out! webpage.

Been reading? Tell everyone what you thought! We'd love to get book reviews from you, so ask about our review forms. They will be posted for sharing with other teens.

Wondering what other teens are up to this summer? Find out what what some of them are doing at

               ramp.torontopubliclibrary.ca/YSRC

Words Out - make reading a part of your summer!

Extra! Extra!

Read all about it! Get you summer paperbacks!

Twice a year, once in spring and once in fall, librarians get to do something terrifically fun - we get to hand-pick a large batch of paperback books to restock our shelves. Oh, we get shipments of paperbacks on a regular basis, but not ones we get to look over and handle and select ourselves. We love handling books! This bookstore trip means, because we can choose them and because it is a larger order, that we get a great selection of new materials when we go shopping this way.

And for you, it means that this month, just in time for the season of summer reading, we have a fantastic crop of fresh paperbacks on our shelves! Come in and nab some for your beach trip, cottage weekend, or even continued commuting. If you're going away, you may even be able to arrange an extended loan - ask at the check-out desk!

The Art of Blogging Life

I recently went to a book launch for a new book, Petite Anglaise, by a blogger, largely based on her blog, in turn largely based on events in her own life. A British ex-pat living in Paris, Catherine Sanderson recounts how her blog became a catalyst to making major changes in her life, including leaving her daughter's father, meeting a man via her blog, and breaking up with him to discover herself again and make a new start. Along the way, she notes how she wrote about all of this on her blog - not always completely openly.

It's not a new concept, this turning life into art via a journal or published letters, nor is it new for the author to mold his or her own image a bit by judicious under- or over-playing of certain episodes or emotions. What I've found interesting in reading this book is how aware the author is of her own re-packaging as she writes her blog. She talks freely about how she presents herself as more confident, more witty and urbane, than she is in real life, not to mention how she put a positive spin on many a moment, or suppressed her uglier feelings.

Perhaps even more interesting is how she reveals this artifice of hers in rewriting that period of her life in the book form, adding another layer to her own self-portrayal at the same time as she appears to strip one off. Indeed, she doesn't do much to make herself appear sympathetic, and there were moments where I found myself decidedly not siding with her.

All in all, the book was an interesting twist on life writing, as well as having great appeal to readers of so-called "chick lit" authors such as Sophie Kinsella, Jennifer Weiner, or Jane Green. As a blogger, it had added appeal in revealing another blogger's techniques and motivations. I could see this being a great summer read, if you are looking for something light with a little hint of depth.

The Art of Youth

Brentwood Library's call for submission of teen art has brought out tremendous response this past month! The entries demonstrate a wide range of talents in our local youth, covering many varied media and subjects, and we are duly impressed.

Are you curious to see what they've come up with? We will be putting their works on public display in our meeting room for all to see! Beginning this Saturday, drop by and take a look at what the young adults in your own area have put together. You may just look at them in a whole new light!

The exhibit will be open from Saturday, June 14th until Thursday, June 19th during regular library hours.

Saturday Special: Drop by the exhibit, get a hand stamp, and enjoy a 10% discount on our Sidewalk Sale books!

Kingsway Sidewalk Sale

This year, once again, Brentwood Library will take part in the Kingsway Sidewalk Sale event!

Last year was a great success, with several tables and trucks of books for sale, a story tent for young readers, a firetruck visit, and more.

We will be hosting our much-anticipated sale once again this year on Brentwood Rd. in front of the library, as well as telling stories, painting faces, colouring with youngsters, and handing out goodies. Our mascot Dewey will even be dropping by for a visit!

Come by and join us between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.- you never know what great finds may be lurking among our sale books!

Book Clubs: June Roundup

Join us to discuss a great book each month. Engage in lively discussion and analysis at our June Book Club meetings.

Brentwood Library (To register call 416-394-5240.) Discussion Title: The Jade Peony by Wayson Choy. Evening Group: Thursday, June 26, 7-8 p.m. Afternoon Group: Friday, June 27, 2-3 p.m.

Long Branch Library (To register call 416-394-5320.) Discussion Title: Life of Pi by Yann Martel. Tuesday, June 24, 7-8 p.m.

Mimico Library (To register call 416-394-5330.) Discussion Title: The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz. Tuesday, June 24, 7-8 p.m.

New Toronto Library (To register call 416-394-5350.) Discussion Title: The Glenwood Treasure, by Kim Moritsugu. Wednesday, June 25, 7-8 p.m.

Mother/Daughter Book Club at Brentwood Library (To register call 416-394-5240.) Enjoy some mother/daughter bonding while discussing tween and teen books. For girls age 11 to 15 and their mothers. Discussion Title: To Dance At The Palais Royale by Janet McNaughton. Saturday, June 28, 2-3 p.m.

Can't make it to the Library? Check out our Online Book Club, Book Buzz at http://bookbuzz.torontopubliclibrary.ca/.

Get Involved!: Brentwood Renovation Project

Make your voice heard! Be a part of the future of your district branch by letting us know what you would like to see, as well as finding out about the new features planned for the upcoming renovation and expansion. How?

• Attend our open house. Visit us at the Brentwood Library on June 12th, between 5-7 p.m., where you can meet with the architect, your city councillor, and library staff to ask questions and comment. Even if you can only come for a few moments, it is a great opportunity to speak with those directly involved in planning the new Brentwood. (Light refreshments will be available.) For more information, see our informational flyer here:

                                                 Download BrentwoodFlyer5.pdf

• Fill in our opinion form and return it to the library, where it will go directly to the people involved in the planning of your library's renovation. We want to hear what you think! Pick up the form at the branch and return it any time. This is a great way to tell us what you think, even if you can't make it to the open house. To make it even easier to give us your input, download the flyer above, fill out the form on page 2, and drop it by at your convenience.

• Keep watching this space! We will be posting updated information here in the lead-up to the renovation, including announcing opportuinities to join in focus groups or attend future meetings. We would also love your input here in the form of comments, questions, or ideas, so do respond in comments to any information we post! And it's not over once we break ground - we will continue to post information and pictures here as the renovation progresses, too, so you can stay involved and informed.

We hope to see and hear from you as we move towards our renovation, anticipated to begin in Spring of 2009!

Tea & Books

What better combination than sipping a cuppa and hearing about some fantastic books that you may just want to get your hands on? Tea and books programmes are a great way to spend the afternoon finding out about new and overlooked favourites. This month, many branches are winding down for summer, but you can still find out about some fresh finds by joining librarians and other book lovers at Alderwood Branch on June 12th at 2 p.m.

Looking for something great to read and can't make it? Try one of the many offering or book lists on TPL's Recommended Reading page!