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[Silent Book Club ~ Ottawa Chapter] Snow, snow and more snow... library visits and so much reading, too!
Published about 2 months ago • 8 min read
February 2026
Carlingwood Branch - Ottawa Public Library (ph.cr.)
Hello Reader,
February is coming in... what do they say? In like a lion... hm. Well I think, if the weather remains lion-ish 🦁 for a few more days, moving into March in several weeks should be smooth and lamb-ish 🐑 don't you?
I hear cheering for all the snow we are getting however, from the hardy folks who skate, ski and phat bike (mostly from my dear darling husband who lovessss this snowy weather). But the cold temperatures in the region and the rising height of the snowbanks in my neighbourhood sure do make me want to curl up inside where it's warm. I am also mindful of the many unhoused people who are seeking shelter... warmth becomes a scarce resource for those struggling to find it.
In any case, I hope you are enjoying wintry activities and/or feeling warm and cozy inside as the blanket of snow shimmers white and cold over our fair city. Bring on the hot cocoa!
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The new and upcoming, main branch of the Ottawa Public Library (Ādisōke) announced late in 2025 that it was pushing its completion date out to 2027. So, in the interest of keeping alive our anticipation of the opening, I spent some time with my daughter, making a plan to explore Ottawa's many other library branches in the meantime. We popped into the Centennial branch and loved the architecture and snug, little used book shop area. Seating was at a premium so we decided to head to our next chosen branch: Carlingwood. There, we found another sweet used book shop area and lots an'lots of tabled seating. With a catwalk dedicated to tables, chairs and curated book sections, it was filled with students chatting and working... it was lovely. We stayed there awhile, worked on writing and other work-related tasks; we perused the stacks and found ourselves not wanting to leave. We've since returned another time and cozied in for a few hours of the same.
I'd love to know, Reader, if there is a favourite Ottawa library branch that you frequent and which one we should visit next. Please write back and let me know! Bonus if you share a photo!
Warm wishes, ~ nicole
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🌸Spring 2026 Book Swap!🌸
Saturday, March 21, 2026 ~ 2pm to 4pm
Beyond the Pale Brewing Company 250 City Centre Ave Bay 106, Ottawa, ON K1R 6K7, Canada
Come swap out your old reads and welcome in some new ones at SBC613's Spring 2026 Book Swap!
A minimum of 2 books for swapping is required, but please bring as many as you wish! The more book friends, the merrier. Fiction is the focus for the swap, but a small table for non-fiction will be available.
Books will be sorted in genres between 1:30-2pm with the swap starting at 2pm. Beyond the Pale will have delicious snacks, treats, and beverages available for purchase as you browse.
🌸
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What many of your meetup hosts are reading recently & currently...
Month to month, I often share with you what I am currently reading. This month, Reader, I want to share with you what many of your meetup hosts are reading!
Andrea McDonald Bells Corners "I am currently reading Cytonic by Brandon Sanderson. It is the 3rd book in the Skyward series. This is a sci-fi series about the distant future. My currently goal is to read as much of Brandon Sanderson’s books as possible. I would recommend this series."
Ashely Raymond Barrhaven "I just finished reading Tourist Season by Brynne Weaver. It is the first book in her new series. I started reading it because I enjoyed her series The ruinous love trilogy. 'Tourist Season is a darkly funny, slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romance where destruction and desire are balanced on the edge of a blade—and where love is the most dangerous battleground of all.' I also just finished Sunny Side Up. 'Sunny Side Up is a 2025 debut novel by body-acceptance advocate Katie Sturino, focusing on Sunny Greene, a 35-year-old navigating divorce, dating, and launching a size-inclusive swimwear brand in NYC. ... a funny and empowering contemporary romance.' I follow the author on social media and decided to read her book."
Karen Buckshi East End "I can't remember what brought me to this book I Am You by Victoria Redel, but I am loving it. Takes place in the 17th century in the Netherlands. It's the story of a female artist and her maid/assistant/lover and how they manage the art world and social pressures of that time. Excellent!"
Natalie Millan Kanata I'm reading The Scarlet Pimpernel - a classic about a daring English gentleman who steals across the channel to rescue French aristocrats from the guillotine during the French Revolution. I'm re-reading this for a book club with my friends! And I definitely do recommend it - it's got an interesting premise, good characters, and lots of romantic yearning.
Neeki Behbahani Downtown "i'm currently reading A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway, which is his memoir from his time living in Paris, France as a writer in the 1920s. it was recommended to me while i was planning my recent trip to Paris and i thought it would be a great experience to read it and follow along his footsteps from his time in Paris. i'm (unfortunately) back from the trip now, but it's still nice to be finishing up the book and reminiscing on all the beautiful things i saw there."
Nicole Colbeck Hintonburg "I finished Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher, and I loved it. I've also been leaping along in ACF Bookens' St. Marin's Cozy Mystery Series, and am currently reading book 9, Hardcover Homicide. Coming up is our book club book, chosen by Ann... Terri Blackstock'sLast Light." Have you read it, Reader? What did you think? What am I in for?
Rachel Lipton Beechwood "Hey! I’m reading Seeds for a Boundless Life by Zenkei Blanche Hartman. Some heart-centered Zen teachings for walking ye old path of life."
Rick Czapelka City Centre #2 I'm re-reading The Hobbit. I like that book and definitely recommend it. I still wonder about them making 3 movies from the 1 smallish book.
Sahil Dhawan Trainyards "I'm reading Flowby Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (I know, that last name is a mouthful!) The book was originally recommended by someone to help me understand how people think and act and experience creativity which I was curious about. While it does do that, it does so from a scientific and psychological perspective and dives deep into consciousness and how people experience flow states. I find it both interesting and challenging to absorb but I've made a side project to summarize and understand it better. Very good way to engage my brain!"
Sierra Stanley sbc Social Media I'm currently reading Well of Ascension - Brandon Sanderson... Also - I came to be reading it through SBC, after ignoring how highly recommended it was Andrea finally got me to give them a go and I am not disappointed. Highly recommend.
Tim Munro City Centre #2 "I'm reading Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. I have a personal tradition of picking a big, long classic novel to read every winter, and this year I picked Quixote on a recommendation from one of Natalie's [Kanata meetup host] friends. I'm really enjoying it - it's really funny and entertaining, and the translation reads very smoothly, considering that it's a 500 year old book."
Gosh... one of my favourite things is hearing about what others are reading. Please click reply and let me know... what's your current read?
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FEBRUARY 2026 EVENTS
📆 Rather than a list of meetups, perhaps you'd prefer a calendar page. You can view the calendar by going to our website, here and scrolling to the bottom. Maybe you'd like to add our events to your Google calendar: click here and subscribe!
📝All meetups are available for signup here. Your signing up to each meetup you wish to attend helps our hosts know how many people to expect. Thank you!
⭐ = NEW! ⚠️ = Check the day/time information before signing up as some things have changed! ‼️ = Paused, postponed or cancelled
Almonte hosts: Jennifer Fryer, nicole Colbeck First Tuesday 7-9pm sign up The Barley Mow Almonte, 79 Little Bridge St Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 7-9pm
Trainyards hosts: Sahil Dhawan, Rick Czapelka Second Sunday 1-3pm sign up O'Brien's Roadhouse, 730 Industrial Ave Sunday, February 8, 2026, 1-3pm
City Centre #1host: Rick Czapelka Second Mondays 7-9pm sign up Beyond the Pale Brewing Co., 250 City Centre Ave. Bay 106 Monday, February 9, 2026, 7-9pm
Bells Cornersco-hosts: Andrea McDonald and Emily Lada Second Tuesday 6:30 – 8:30pm sign up Kichesippi Beer Co, 2265 Robertson Rd Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Stittsville #1 host: Benny Deng Second Saturdays 1-3pm sign up Kung Fu Bistro, 1110 Carp Rd. Unit #150 Saturday, February 14, 2026, 1-3pm
⭐ City Centre #2 host: Tim Munro Fourth Mondays 7-9pm sign up Beyond the Pale Brewing Co., 250 City Centre Ave. Bay 106 Monday, February 23, 2026, 7-9pm
Barrhaven host: Ashley Raymond Fourth Tuesday 7-9pm sign up Cafe Cristal, 240 Kennevale Dr. Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 7-9pm
East End host: Karen Buckshi Fourth Wednesday7-9pm sign up Dominion City Brewing Co., 5510 Canotek Rd Unit 15 Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 7-9pm
Stittsville #2 host: Benny Deng Fourth Saturdays 1-3pm sign up Kung Fu Bistro, 1110 Carp Rd. Unit #150 Saturday, February 28, 2026, 1-3pm
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How does a reading meetup work?
Typically, at reading meetups, 60 minutes of reading is bookended by 15-30 minutes of chit-chat and sharing, during which time you are encouraged to order something to sip or nibble, as all of the meetup spaces are provided free of charge to the chapter. Some hosts are putting their own spin on this format, so it might vary a bit... but the cornerstones of sbc613 are always present: reading, inclusiveness, and no admission cost!
Make your experience fit your vibe
On the sign up page, click through to the various location links and get to know our meetup spaces! From location to timing, choose which best suits your ideal reading meetup.
Come just in time for the reading then scoot at the end of reading time, or come to share and discover what others are reading. This is your sbc experience!
And please... come a little hungry or thirsty... ready to support our host venues. 💛
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Helping artists through coaching and big picture planning, to get clarity on the next best steps, so they can be confident, breathe easy and build a sustainable, successful career.
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