The New Collection

The Toronto Public Library Foundation — the system’s charitable arm — is set to launch The New Collection, a membership program determined to draw a new generation of philanthropists — young, urbane, and bookish — into its orbit.

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Gary Hustwit; Page Eight

The timing of Gary Hustwit’s new documentary, Urbanized, couldn’t be better considering what’s happening in Toronto. I sat down with the director while he was in town for TIFF. Also, I report from the Page Eight press conference.

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Misha Glouberman

Misha Glouberman co-wrote a book with his friend Sheila Heti. It’s called The Chairs Are Where The People Go. It’s funny and strange and hard to describe. I talk to Misha and Sheila about it here.

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Railway Maps of the World

In Monday’s National Post I talk to transit nerd Mark Ovenden about his latest collection, Railway Maps of the World.

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Haley Tanner; Stuart Henderson

In Saturday’s National Post I sit down for a beer with Haley Tanner, author of Vaclav & Lena, and stroll around Yorkville with author Stuart Henderson.

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Daniel Jones

Later this week, a group of Toronto writers and musicians will celebrate the life and work of Daniel Jones, a Toronto poet and novelist who died in 1994. I write about Jones in today’s paper.

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TCAF; Kyung-sook Shin

The Toronto Comic Arts Festival takes place this weekend; I preview it in Saturday’s National Post. Also: I sit down with South Korean novelist Kyung-sook Shin to talk about her new book Please Look After Mom.

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Kristen den Hartog; Andrew J. Borkowski

A couple of author interviews in Saturday’s National Post: I talk to Kristen den Hartog about her short novel about a tall girl, And Me Among Them, and take a tour of Roncesvalles Ave. with Andrew J. Borkowski, author of Copernicus Avenue.

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Best Books of 2010; Best Films of 2010; Under- and Overachievers of the Year

In a few hours 2010 will be no more; it makes perfect sense, then, to look back at the year that was:

• My favourite books of the year.

• My favourite films of the year.

• Toronto’s under- and overachievers of the year.

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Wrecking Ball vs. Rob Ford

In Monday’s National Post I chat with a few of those participating in Wrecking Ball’s latest ripped-from-the-headlines theatrical event, this time targetting the new Rob Ford administration.

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