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Sneaky Dee's: A Toronto Institution in Jeopardy?

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This post was originally written by M. Elwood for Toronto Public Library's web site. It was first published on September 9, 2020 Although change is inevitable unexpected change can be a shock. Toronto was shaken by the recent announcement that Sneaky Dee's might be closing , as a proposal for a new condo building at their location could potentially spell the end of the iconic restaurant/bar/club.  Sneaky Dee's by Astro Guy . Used on a CC license.   Described as a "late-night tex-mexy bar" in Bryan Lee O'Malley's Scott Pilgrim series , Sneaky Dee's is located at College and Bathurst and is known for the colourful graffiti on its walls. Over the years, it has hosted many notable music acts including: Arcade Fire Barenaked Ladies Broken Social Scene Cancer Bats Dirty Projectors Feist F**ked Up Lights   Musicians who have created menu items for the restaurant include Lights, Cancer Bats and F**ked Up.   Books Like any landmark, Sneaky D...
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The Return of Lisbeth Salander?

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This post was originally written by M. Elwood for Toronto Public Library's web site. It was first published on  January 18, 2011. This was one of my first posts for the library and I was still double spacing after periods! When I turned the final page of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest , the third book in Stieg Larsson’s Millennium series, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief.  With the author’s tragic death, this would be the end.  There would be no more Lisbeth, no more Mikael.  I was delighted.  You see, I’ve been harbouring a dark secret.  I hated these books.  It's awkward because almost everyone else loves them.  The series is popular with every type of reader—old, young, male, female.  Just about everyone on the subway seems to be reading of them.  For me, the books were boring.  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was the most interesting but even it had sections (the beginning, the end, parts of the middle...
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March 1 is World Compliment Day

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This post was originally written by M. Elwood for Toronto Public Library's web site. It was first published on March 1 2016. I've been meaning to tell you that you're amazing and talented. You have style and grace.  You make everything look effortless and I'm very jealous. Also, your hair is perfect . Don't ever change; you're fabulous just the way you are! So, today is World Compliment Day.  These books think you're great too! Baby, You're the Best by Mary B. Morrison • Large Print I Love Your Laugh  :[Finding the Light in my Screwed Up Life] by Jessica Holmes • eBook No One Belongs Here More than You by Miranda July • Audiobook • eBook You are a Bad Ass :[How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life] by Jen Sincero • eAudiobook • eBook You are Beautiful :[A Beauty Guide for Real Women] by Ken Paves You have it Made :[Delicious, Healthy, Do-Ahead Meals] by Ellie Krieger  You're So Fine b...
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Get Over It on March 9

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This post was originally written by M. Elwood for Toronto Public Library's web site. It was first published on March 9, 2016. This is the latest in my seemingly endless series on crazy holidays that I connect in a tenuous way to books. Here we go: Today is Get Over It Day, a holiday invented in 2005 by a man who was having trouble moving on after breaking up with his girlfriend. It is intended to be a day when people meet adversity with humour.  These books about revenge would be a lot shorter if their characters had celebrated Get Over it Day. Charlie Johnson in the Flames by Michael Ignatieff In 1998, while covering a story in Kosovo, war correspondent Charlie Johnson is shattered by the violent death of a woman who had given him shelter. Unable to cope with his guilt, he begins a quest for both vengeance and absolution. Eléctrico W by Hervé Le Tellier • eBook In Lisbon to escape his failing relationship, a journalist discovers that the photographer he i...
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Want to be Becky with the Good Hair?

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This post was originally written by M. Elwood for Toronto Public Library's web site. It was first published on April 27, 2016.   Beyoncé's new song "Sorry" has been the talk of the Internet this week. Widely interpreted as proof that Jay Z has cheated on his wife, people are desperate to learn more. Who is "Becky with the good hair", mentioned in the song? Some women are denying it -- Rachel Roy, for example. Others, like Rita Ora, are hinting that they are Becky. Poor Rachael Ray is an innocent bystander caught in the Rachel Roy fallout and Taylor Swift is a suspect because she always is. Although if Taylor  is Becky, she would have already written her own song about it. I have no idea who Becky is but I am annoyed that the world is focused on finding a woman to blame, when we all know exactly where Jay Z is. That is a subject for a different blog post, however. This one is all about hair.  For the record, I think you all have perfect...
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Spectator Sport: Books about Fan Culture

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This post was originally written by M. Elwood for Toronto Public Library's web site. It was first published on May 24, 2016.   At the course, Labour Day in Harriston, 1910 The Raptors are in the Eastern Conference Final of the NBA playoffs even though a CBS sports poll identified them merely as the "other" team. The Marlies are in the Eastern Conference Final of the Calder Cup. The Toronto Blue Jays are brawling in Texas. The Toronto Maple Leafs have the first draft pick. It's a pretty good time to be a sports fan in Toronto -- if there is ever a "good" time. It's a hard thing to be a sports fan. The thrill of victory is sweet but rare, and requires suffering through plenty of agony of defeat moments.  These books are about the passion and pain of being a sports fan: The Boys of Summer by Roger Kahn Kahn recalls his boyhood in Brooklyn, the borough's devotion to the Dodgers and his career covering the team in the 1950s.  Federer and M...
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