Now that the temperature’s dropped, it’s time to gather ’round and get cozy like it’s story time in the city. There are tons of great readings to choose from this fall:
- TIFF’s slightly frumpy cousin, the International Festival of Authors is on from October 19th to 30th. But who needs glitz? Readings by Joan Didion, Ken Babstock, Michael Ondaajte, Gary Shteyngart and dozens of others, as well as an interview with Douglas Coupland on Marshall McLuhan, and Seth in conversation with Daniel Clowes all promise to be more interesting than Brangelinacloonadonnagosling.
- The Toronto Reference Library has some great authors lined up for their Appel Salon series. Jefferey Eugenides will be discussing his highly anticipated novel, The Marriage Plot on October 24th. Umberto Eco will be there on November 16th to talk about his latest novel The Prague Cemetery as well as “semiotics in fiction, biblical analysis, medieval studies and literary theory” for the legion of The Name of the Rose fans out there. The tickets are free, but are sure to go fast.
- For something a little different, check out Ron MacLean, Canada’s unofficial poet laureate, at the Appel Salon series on November 3rd.
- Or, check out The Wrecking Ball, a series that combines heavy metal and short stories, on October 22nd. There will be readings by Jessica Westhead and Jamie Popowich and music by Kosmograd and Black Faxes.