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...
about 2 months ago • 8 min read
January 2026 photo cr.: Liana S Welcome, Reader, to the turning of 2025 to 2026 and to all of you who are newly joining, welcome to our little corner of the Internet. And to everyone... we are truly grateful that you are here. Happy New Year! As part of my own journey into the new year this week, I am participating in a writing workshop and one of the first questions was, "When you hear the word 'Winter', what comes to mind?" I paused a moment and wrote... Cold. When I think of Winter,...
3 months ago • 5 min read
December 2025 (redux) I may have been unclear, Reader... When providing the list of meetups for December in my last note to you, the formatting was a bit wonky. This may have caused some confusion. Here's hoping the list below, with its repaired formatting, clears things up. Thanks for your patience with the extra email. 'Hope to see you at one of this month's meetups! Warm wishes,~ nicole · · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · NOVEMBER 2025 EVENTS 📆 Rather than a list of meetups, perhaps you'd prefer a...
4 months ago • 2 min read
December 2025 Dear Reader, As I finish this note, the snow is floating down in small, sparse flakiness and gathering on cedar branches and along fence tops. And in our yard, on top of the still-out lawn mower and wheelbarrow - both of which were recently and feverishly used to prep the yard for the fluffy white stuff. Ah well. Best laid plans, an'all that. As the snow falls, I feel another invitation to cozy reading, though I can hear the running footsteps of the holiday season behind me,...
4 months ago • 3 min read
November 2025 ~ Book Swap Edition Redux You are cordially invited... Fall 2025 Book Swap🍂 Wednesday, November 19th, 20256:30 – 8:30pm Lokma Desserts Kanata471 Terry Fox Dr unit 70 Fall Book Swap: A Cozy Exchange of Stories As the crisp air and vibrant colors of autumn settle in, it's the perfect time to cozy up with a good book. Join us for our Fall Book Swap, where book lovers of all kinds can gather to exchange their gently-loved reads and discover new favorites. Whether you're into...
4 months ago • 1 min read
November 2025 ph. cr.: Ebru Yılmazimage: small decorative pumpkinsitting snuggly on a woolly surface,beside an open book Hello, Reader, and happy November! In Ottawa, November is arriving wet and chilly. And you know what that means... Well, for me, it means cozy reading by the fire. Or cozy reading at a coffee shop. Or cozy reading on top of my bedcover, cuddling my pups. Or... well, I'm sure you can see the theme, here. I realise that in the privilege I own, cozy reading is nearly always an...
5 months ago • 4 min read
November 2025 ~ Book Swap Edition You are cordially invited... Fall 2025 Book Swap🍂 Wednesday, November 19th, 20256:30 – 8:30pm Lokma Desserts Kanata471 Terry Fox Dr unit 70 Fall Book Swap: A Cozy Exchange of Stories As the crisp air and vibrant colors of autumn settle in, it's the perfect time to cozy up with a good book. Join us for our Fall Book Swap, where book lovers of all kinds can gather to exchange their gently-loved reads and discover new favorites. Whether you're into thrillers,...
5 months ago • 1 min read
October 2025 ph.: Rodney Ghanney Hello, Reader, I've caught sight of a few tufts of leaves touched with the yellows and reds of Autumn. That sight always makes me heart happy. It's not so much that I love cool weather (though sweaters and cozy scarves do make me happy too), it's more that along with that come changes that have always represented newness in my life. From work routines to school schedules, from spiced cakes to warm fruit bakes, and from steaming hot cups of coffee or chocolate...
6 months ago • 4 min read
September 2025 photo: Esra Afşar Hello, dear Reader, Our fair city has been wrapped up in chilly-weather for a couple of days, after a whole bunch of rain that local farmers sorely needed. I don't know about you, but for me, this kind of weather, despite coming on the heels of all the warmth we've been enjoying, means cozying with a cup of something hot, steaming and sweet, and reading the hours away. Now... that sounds pretty ideal, but in reality, it can also mean a lot of prep returning to...
7 months ago • 4 min read