Latest news with #MissedConnections
CBC
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
'Stop trying to rationalize what you like': Brian Francis shares 3 books on guilty pleasures
Is there truly such a thing as a guilty pleasure? Canadian writer Brian Francis defines it as those indulgences in life that are reserved for only us and are often kept a secret. At the same time, especially in reading, he questions if calling certain genres guilty pleasures serves us any good. "I think at some point in your life, you just have to stop trying to rationalize what you like. Stop trying to feel like you're not up to speed with everyone else and just do what you enjoy doing because you're happier when you do that… within moderation," said Francis. Francis is the author of the Canada Reads 2009 shortlisted book Fruit and the memoir Missed Connections, which was a finalist for the 2022 Trillium Book Award, recognizing excellence in literature by Ontario writers. He joined Antonio Michael Downing on The Next Chapter to spill some of his guilty pleasures, as well as books that explore why things like donuts and reality television are often seen as such. The Donut by Steve Penfold "All of us sort of have a food that maybe we know isn't maybe the best for us, but we can't help indulging in when we're feeling a certain way or coming home late at night … and certainly in Canada, I think donuts tend to be a bit of a guilty pleasure," said Francis. In The Donut: A Canadian History scholar Steve Penfold delves into what makes the sugary pastry the unofficial national food. Examining the social and cultural impact of donuts as something found at most rest stops across the country, as well as the commercial impact of chains like Tim Horton's, Penfold notes donuts as key examples of consumerism in Canada in the twentieth century. Penfold is a writer and professor at the University of Toronto. His work focuses on the cultural history of twentieth century Canada and his other works include A Mile of Make-Believe and The Worker's Festival. Cue the Sun! by Emily Nussbaum "I think many of us have sort of conflicted emotions about [reality TV] in general. I think that for me, it's seeing people on TV sometimes that are either chasing after fame or they are perfectly fine with putting their messy lives on the screen for everybody to kind of watch and judge, but at the same time I can't stop watching it," said Francis. Cue the Sun! The Invention of Reality TV traces the origins of the pop culture genre and how it has evolved into the media seen today. Beginning with the turn from reality radio to television, then rise of the "dirty documentary" and then popularization of shows like Survivor or The Bachelor, staff writer for The New Yorker, Emily Nussbaum provides a comprehensive history of the genre. Nussabaum is an American writer, culture critic and current staff writer for The New Yorker. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 2016 for criticism and is currently based in Brooklyn, New York. Paperbacks from Hell by Grady Hendrix "Of all the movies and all the quality entertainment I could be indulging in right now, why am I going to Children of the Corn? … When I think about why I'm drawn to like horror, particularly bad horror, is that it reminds me probably of being a kid," said Francis. Paperbacks from Hell: The Twisted History of '70s and '80s Horror Fiction is a collection of iconic and forgotten horror book covers from decades past. Grady Hendrix, a fellow writer of the genre, explores the fascination with 'trashy' thrillers in this period and graphic design trends that sought to be the next Exorcist or Stephen King. This compilation also includes short insights to the artists and writers behind the spooky and sometimes cheesy paperback book covers. Hendrix is an American horror novelist and screenwriter. His novels include How to Sell a Haunted House, The Final Girl Support Group and The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires. He currently lives in New York.
CBC
30-03-2025
- General
- CBC
Why paper crafts and physical books appeal to Canadian writer Brian Francis
E-readers and digital books can often be the more convenient and reliable ways to read today, but Canadian writer Brian Francis still thinks that, "print books really are where my heart is at the end of the day." Francis is the author of the Canada Reads 2009 shortlisted book Fruit and the memoir Missed Connections, which was a finalist for the 2022 Trillium Book Award, recognizing excellence in literature by Ontario writers. He joined Antonio Michael Downing on The Next Chapter to talk about his love of paper as a reader, writer and occasional paper crafter. Here are some of Francis' book recommendations for the love of paper. Trees In Canada by John Laird Farrar "I don't think we can have a conversation about an appreciation for the love of paper without having an appreciation for where paper comes from," said Francis. Trees In Canada is a collection of over 300 different tree species and over 75 years of botanical knowledge from John Laird Farrar first published in 2017. It has since been reviewed and edited by forest specialists today to include an identification key, updated photographs and maps and new tree species. This text provides an in-depth look at the trees in Canada and the northern United States in an accessible format. Farrar was a Canadian forest scientist and graduate of the University of Toronto, dedicating almost 60 years of his life to botanical study. He later served as a lieutenant of the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Second World War, then received his Ph.D from Yale University in 1955. He died in 1996. In reading this textbook, Francis learned to take greater notice of the natural world. "Trees are something that are everywhere but … we don't always pay attention to. In looking at the book, it made me realize too, when I was growing up, we had a white birchbark tree in front of our house and it was a staple of my childhood and my upbringing but I didn't know much about it. In looking at this book, I realized I learned some new things about the white Birch tree. The Notebook by Roland Allen In The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper, U.K. writer Roland Allen delves into the history of notebook writing and how it continues to be a relevant medium today amidst continual technological advancement and the "age of AI". Detailing the stories written on paper by Frida Kahlo, Charles Darwin, Agatha Christie and more, Allen reflects on how notebooks have shaped the modern world and how the simple act of writing pen to paper every day can affect our mental health. Francis noted, "With a notebook, I never think about how it might be perceived because it's not written for an audience, it's written for me. We all put on a front to a certain extent in our public selves. The notebook's sometimes are a bit closer to who we really are as people and I think sometimes it's that contrast between our public and our private selves that's so interesting." A Beginner's Guide to Quilling Paper Flowers by Motoko Maggie Nakatani Founding member of the Japan Quilling Guild and all-around paper expert Motoko Maggie Nakatani takes readers through an instructional textbook on the art of quilled flower-making. From roses to wisterias and more, A Beginner's Guide to Quilling Paper Flowers details the history of the craft and how the meditative art form can be used in daily life. "The book has 32 different varieties of quilt flowers that you can make. And what I like about it is that it gives the meaning behind the flower," mentioned Francis. Paper quilling is a craft that he once did as a child and has since returned to. "What I would do is I would make these quilling flowers and I'd write poetry and calligraphy and then I would put it on a little frame and I would give it to my teachers at the end of the year."
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
MSPCA rescues dozen of dogs from South Carolina, available during adoptathon
SALEM, Mass. (WWLP) – The MSPCA in Salem took in 12 hounds and beagles involved in an animal cruelty investigation in South Carolina. Four dogs sent from Pasadena ready for adoption in Mass. The MSCPA states that the dogs range in age from one to ten years old and arrived in Salem on Tuesday. 'More than 50 dogs were surrendered last month by an owner who had been living with them on a single property where they weren't getting the care they needed,' explained MSPCA-Angell Vice President of Animal Protection, Mike Keiley. 'That's a huge number of dogs entering shelters in the Midlands region of South Carolina that are already at or over capacity.' All of the dogs were living on the same property at the time of the surrender. 'The timing of these pups' arrival is kind of perfect in that we already have an adoption event happening, which we hope will help open up much-needed kennel space,' Keiley explained, referencing the Missed Connections adoptathon that is taking place February 17 through February 23 at the MSPCA-Angell and several other MASS coalition partners. The new arrivals will be available for adoption following their state-mandated 48-hour quarantine and after receiving any medical care that they might need. 'Considering their circumstances, these dogs are in relatively good health,' said Keiley. 'They need to be spayed or neutered, and some also need dental work, but we're hoping that at least a few will be available before the end of the adoptathon.' WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
