Category Archives: Interest Groups

Jeanne C gives Away from the Dead a 5/5

Title: Away From the Dead
Author: David Bergen
Bergen crafted a novel based on accounts written by two very different sources, a Mennonite farmer who immigrated from Ukraine to Canada and a Russian writer of this time period. The book is loosely based on the lives of several generations of family members who were affected by the events of the Russian Revolution and whose surviving members came to live in Canada in the 1920’s. I enjoyed the author’s simple prose and thoughtful character development. The family members, with their fears and faults, kept me reading to learn how their lives would unfold.

Marion’s plea for a better selection of large print books

Like all of us book club members, Marion W is a smart and avid reader but she’s noticed that the selection of library books available in large print may be good for some avid readers, but not so great for discerning readers. She held up this book and said with frustration, “I don’t recommend this one. Too Harlequinesque.” Are large print readers doomed to read mediocre fiction? One hopes not.

Symposium Cafe is the perfect place for bookish lunches

Our book group has been meeting over lunch-brunch at Brantford’s Symposium Cafe ever since we ventured out for post-pandemic non-zoom gatherings. Always, the service is stellar and always the food is beautifully presented, tasty and not too expensive. The staff at Symposium never rush us out and they are so very pleasant and friendly. This is Annette. Her smile says it all!