Skip to main content
close
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.
Image for event: Book Chat: Exploring Canadian Literature

Register 2 Seats Remaining

Book Chat: Exploring Canadian Literature

2025-10-29 18:30:00 2025-10-29 19:30:00 America/New_York Book Chat: Exploring Canadian Literature For Adults Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium

Wednesday, October 29
6:30pm - 7:30pm

Add to Calendar 2025-10-29 18:30:00 2025-10-29 19:30:00 America/New_York Book Chat: Exploring Canadian Literature For Adults Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium

Main Library

James J. Brown Auditorium

For Adults

About the Program

Discover the world of Canadian literature (CanLit) with a discussion of The Sleeping Car Porter by Suzette Mayr. WPL staff will lead a discussion on the book and highlight titles from the Giller Prize longlist and shortlist, along with some Canadian picks from recent literary award seasons. Share your favourite CanLit books or authors, or just listen and discover new titles to add to your reading list. You can read The Sleeping Car Porter ahead of time, or bring along another favourite Canadian book to join in the conversation!

The Sleeping Car Porter by Suzette Mayr was the 2022 Giller Prize Award Winner. Set in the 1920s, this novel tells the story of Baxter, a closeted Black Canadian immigrant who works as a railway porter to save money for his ultimate dream of becoming a dentist.

Learn more about The Sleeping Car Porter in our blog.

About Book Chats

If you love reading, discussing books, and discovering new titles, Book Chats is the perfect place for you. This series offers a welcoming space to explore a variety of genres, revisit old favourites, and hear fresh recommendations from fellow readers and WPL staff. Participate however feels comfortable - whether you read the suggested titles ahead of time and join the conversation, or simply listen and gather ideas for your next great read. Along the way, you’ll learn tips for finding books you’ll love, discover read-alike strategies, and explore special topics such as book awards and trending titles.


Photography Notice: Please note that photographs and videos may be taken at this event and may be broadcast, reproduced, and/or made available in print or online. For individual or small group photos, staff will make attendees aware of their presence and will ask permission before taking photos. 

For larger public events, please note that by attending, you are consenting to the use of your appearance, image, and voice in print or digital productions created by the Waterloo Public Library for promotional use only. Please speak to library staff at the event if you’d like to be excluded from any photo/video. 

Presenter: Kelly

AGE GROUP: | Older Adults | Adults 19+ |

EVENT TYPE: | Socials and Clubs | Lifelong Learning |

TAGS: | Book Clubs |

Main Library

Phone: 519-886-1310

Hours
Skip Opening Hours widget
Mon, Oct 27 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Oct 28 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Oct 29 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Oct 30 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Oct 31 9:30AM to 5:30PM
Sat, Nov 01 9:30AM to 5:30PM
Sun, Nov 02 1:00PM to 4:00PM

About the branch

Located in the heart of Uptown Waterloo, the two-storey building features a separate children’s area, ample study space, the Ellis Little Local History Room and WPL’s largest collection of browsable materials.

Upcoming events

Skip Upcoming Events widget
Wed, Oct 29, 10:00am - 11:00am
John M. Harper Branch - Study Room 1
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
Registration is now closed

Wed, Oct 29, 10:30am - 11:15am
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 2 to 5 years old with a caregiver.
Registration is now closed

Wed, Oct 29, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages birth to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Wed, Oct 29, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Eastside Branch
For Adults

Wed, Oct 29, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
Registration is now closed

Wed, Oct 29, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
Registration is now closed

Wed, Oct 29, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For tweens ages 8 to 12 years old.
This event is full

Wed, Oct 29, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
McCormick Branch
For tweens ages 9 to 12 years old.
This event is full

Wed, Oct 29, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Older Adults

Wed, Oct 29, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Families

Wed, Oct 29, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
McCormick Branch
For Adults

Wed, Oct 29, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Wed, Oct 29, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For teens ages 13 to 18 years old.

Thu, Oct 30, 10:30am - 11:30am
McCormick Branch
Ages 0 to 5 years with a caregiver.

Thu, Oct 30, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages 2 to 5 years old with a caregiver.
This event is full

Thu, Oct 30, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 5 to 8 years old.
This event is full

Thu, Oct 30, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 6 to 10 years old.
This event is full

Thu, Oct 30, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For tweens ages 8 to 10 years old.
This event is full

Thu, Oct 30, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Thu, Oct 30, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Adults
This event is full

Thu, Oct 30, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Adults
This event is full

Thu, Oct 30, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Fri, Oct 31, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
McCormick Branch
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!

Sat, Nov 01, 10:00am - 11:00am
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Sat, Nov 01, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Families

Sat, Nov 01, 10:30am - 11:30am
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 0 to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Sat, Nov 01, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Sat, Nov 01, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Adults and Older Adults

Sat, Nov 01, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Sat, Nov 01, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Families

Mon, Nov 03, 10:00am - 12:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Adults and Older Adults
This event is full

Mon, Nov 03, 10:30am - 11:15am
McCormick Branch
For ones ages 11 to 24 months with a caregiver.
This event is full

Mon, Nov 03, 10:30am - 11:00am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For babies ages 6 to 12 months old with a caregiver.
Registration is now closed

Mon, Nov 03, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!

Mon, Nov 03, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
McCormick Branch
For babies ages 0 to 24 months old with a caregiver.

Mon, Nov 03, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Mon, Nov 03, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Mon, Nov 03, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Mon, Nov 03, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Adults
This event is full

Mon, Nov 03, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Discovery Room
For kids ages 6 to 8 years old.
This event is full

Mon, Nov 03, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Mon, Nov 03, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Tue, Nov 04, 10:30am - 11:15am
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages birth to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Tue, Nov 04, 10:30am - 12:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Older Adults

Tue, Nov 04, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Study Room 1
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Tue, Nov 04, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Tue, Nov 04, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For adults in their 20s and 30s.

Tue, Nov 04, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Adults

Wed, Nov 05, 10:00am - 11:00am
John M. Harper Branch - Study Room 1
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Wed, Nov 05, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!

Wed, Nov 05, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!

Wed, Nov 05, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
McCormick Branch
For Adults

Thu, Nov 06, 10:30am - 11:30am
McCormick Branch
Ages 0 to 5 years with a caregiver.

Thu, Nov 06, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.

Thu, Nov 06, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Thu, Nov 06, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Adults
This event is full

Sat, Nov 08, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Families

Sat, Nov 08, 10:30am - 11:30am
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 0 to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Sat, Nov 08, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages 7 to 11 years old.
This event is full

Sat, Nov 08, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Sat, Nov 08, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
McCormick Branch
For tweens ages 9 to 13 years old.
This event is full

Mon, Nov 10, 10:00am - 11:30am
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Adults

Mon, Nov 10, 10:00am - 11:30am
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Older Adults

Mon, Nov 10, 10:30am - 11:15am
McCormick Branch
For ones ages 11 to 24 months with a caregiver.
This event is full

Mon, Nov 10, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Adults
This event is full

Mon, Nov 10, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
McCormick Branch
For tweens ages 10 to 13 years old.

Mon, Nov 10, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Adults
This event is full

Mon, Nov 10, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Discovery Room
For kids ages 6 to 8 years old.
This event is full

Mon, Nov 10, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Tue, Nov 11, 10:30am - 11:15am
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages birth to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Tue, Nov 11, 10:30am - 12:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Older Adults

Tue, Nov 11, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Study Room 1
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Tue, Nov 11, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For tweens ages 10 to 12 years old.

Tue, Nov 11, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For teens ages 13 to 17 years old.

Tue, Nov 11, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Wed, Nov 12, 10:30am - 11:15am
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 2 to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Wed, Nov 12, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages birth to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Wed, Nov 12, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Wed, Nov 12, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
McCormick Branch
For tweens ages 9 to 12 years old.
This event is full

Wed, Nov 12, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 6 to 12 years old.

Wed, Nov 12, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For tweens ages 10 to 12 years old.

Wed, Nov 12, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
McCormick Branch
For Adults

Rescheduled
Wed, Nov 12, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
New date Wednesday, December 10, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
New venue Hybrid - Virtual and In-person
For Adults

Thu, Nov 13, 10:30am - 11:30am
McCormick Branch
Ages 0 to 5 years with a caregiver.

Thu, Nov 13, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 5 to 8 years old. 

Thu, Nov 13, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 6 to 10 years old.

Thu, Nov 13, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Adults
This event is full

Thu, Nov 13, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Adults
This event is full

Thu, Nov 13, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Sat, Nov 15, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Families

Sat, Nov 15, 10:30am - 11:30am
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 0 to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Sat, Nov 15, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Sat, Nov 15, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Sat, Nov 15, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
McCormick Branch
For teens ages 13 to 18 years old.

Mon, Nov 17, All day
All library locations
For Families

Mon, Nov 17, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
McCormick Branch
For Homeschool Families

Mon, Nov 17, 6:00pm - 6:45pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
Everyone welcome

Mon, Nov 17, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Discovery Room
For kids ages 6 to 8 years old.
This event is full

Mon, Nov 17, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Tue, Nov 18, 10:30am - 11:00am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Adults and Older Adults

Tue, Nov 18, 10:30am - 11:30am
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For babies and toddlers ages birth to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Tue, Nov 18, 10:30am - 12:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Older Adults

Tue, Nov 18, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Study Room 1
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!

Tue, Nov 18, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Older Adults

Wed, Nov 19, 10:30am - 11:15am
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 2 to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Wed, Nov 19, 10:30am - 11:30am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Older Adults
Registration opens Wednesday, October 29 2025 at 7:00pm

Wed, Nov 19, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
McCormick Branch
For tweens ages 9 to 12 years old.
This event is full

Wed, Nov 19, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For tweens ages 8 to 12 years old.

Wed, Nov 19, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For tweens ages 10 to 12 years old.

Wed, Nov 19, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
McCormick Branch
For Adults

Wed, Nov 19, 7:00pm - 8:45pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For AdultsRegister

Thu, Nov 20, All day
All library locations
All library locations CLOSED for a Staff Development Day.

Sat, Nov 22, 10:30am - 11:00am
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Adults
Registration opens Thursday, October 30 2025 at 7:00pm

Sat, Nov 22, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Families

Sat, Nov 22, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Mon, Nov 24, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
McCormick Branch
For Homeschool Families

Mon, Nov 24, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For tweens ages 10 to 12 years.
Registration opens Monday, November 3 2025 at 7:00pm

Mon, Nov 24, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Discovery Room
For kids ages 6 to 8 years old.
This event is full

Mon, Nov 24, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For adults in their 20s and 30s.
Registration opens Monday, November 3 2025 at 7:00pm

Tue, Nov 25, 10:30am - 12:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Older Adults

Tue, Nov 25, 10:30am - 11:30am
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For babies and toddlers ages birth to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Tue, Nov 25, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Study Room 1
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!

Tue, Nov 25, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Families

Tue, Nov 25, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For tweens ages 9 to 15 years old.
Registration opens Tuesday, November 4 2025 at 7:00pm

Tue, Nov 25, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For adults in their 20s and 30s.
Registration opens Tuesday, November 4 2025 at 7:00pm

Wed, Nov 26, 10:30am - 11:00am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For babies from birth to 12 months old with a caregiver.
Registration opens Wednesday, November 5 2025 at 7:00pm

Wed, Nov 26, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Older Adults

Wed, Nov 26, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
McCormick Branch
For Adults

Wed, Nov 26, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Adults

Wed, Nov 26, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Families
Registration opens Wednesday, November 5 2025 at 7:00pm

Thu, Nov 27, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For children ages 2 to 5 years old with a caregiver.
Registration opens Thursday, November 6 2025 at 7:00pm

Thu, Nov 27, 11:00am - 12:00pm
McCormick Branch
For Adults
Registration opens Thursday, November 6 2025 at 7:00pm

Thu, Nov 27, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
McCormick Branch
For tweens ages 9 to 12 years old.

Thu, Nov 27, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Families

Thu, Nov 27, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Adults
This event is full