The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge - Your Turn -- How Books Have Changed Your Life

Episode Date: October 22, 2026

If this week has proven anything its that Bridge listeners are book readers. Big-time book readers. Also today, the Random Ranter gets his say on the Alberta referendum, and he doesn't hold back. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

And hello there, Peter Mansbridge here. You're just moments away from the latest episode of the bridge. Books, books, books. I think we've got the most book literate audience of any podcast anywhere. That's what we found out this week. Coming up on your turn. And hello there, Peter Mansbridge here. Yeah, it's your turn.

And the random renter, of course, coming up later on in the program. But the question this week was about books. You know what, when I first decided to go with this question, I thought, well, it's kind of a throwaway. I don't know what kind of answer I'll get to hear. But, you know, we're thinking books here a lot because our latest book, Mark Belgutche and myself, our latest book, A Noble profession, all about teachers, is coming out in less than two weeks now. You know, talk about it with Mark next week, next Wednesday, so you won't want to miss that. Anyway, we decided, let's ask a question about books. Let's ask our audience just how often they read a book, where they get their books, you know, do they use the library, what kind of books do they read?

That kind of thing. You know, I wasn't expecting a lot of answers on that. But that shows how little I understand our audience, which surprises me every week on this, Your Turned program. We got more letters, I think, than we've had in months about any topic. And I'm talking to any topic, Trump, U.S. Canada relations, Alberta, Quebec, you name it. We had a lot, a lot of answers. the question this weekend. So many of them, so many of them were from people who I think were

first-time writers, but clearly are not first-time listeners. But this inspired them to write. So let's get at it. I'll never read them all. There's not time to read them all, but I'll read as many as I can. Daniel Goldhar in Toronto, books have shaped the person I am today. When I was growing up, I would go into my late grandfather's study and borrow books that both he, my grandmother, mother, and aunts read. But it was mainly his books, and I found that to be one of the deepest connections I had with him, knowing what he had read and what shaped him. I hope if and when I have children and grandchildren of my own to have a library of books for them to read and get to know me in the same way. A great letter. Lees Morton in Southampton, Ontario.

That's on the eastern shores of Lake Huron, a little west of Owen Sound. I was an avid reader in my youth, but became less so during those busy years of working full-time and raising kids. One of my favorite parts of retirement is being able to return to my love of reading. This year, so far, I've read 38 hardcover books, all borrowed from my local library. Support your local library.

They do amazing work, and they sure do. David Turnbull in Hamilton, Ontario. Reading is extremely important to me. This was something instilled in me by my now retired English teacher, mother. Yes, I love the library. Shout out to the Hamilton Public Library System. I go often.

They have a great selection of resources and their children's programming has been a big part of my children's lives. I could complain about what happens with my property taxes, but the Hamilton Public Library is money well spent. Edie Hiltz in Regina Grimm's Fairy Tales was the first book I read in 1946. It took me all year, drove my mother crazy with constant questions about, what does this word spell?

But I unlocked the key to read and haven't stopped since. At 86, I use the library and an iPad. I love to read. The topics are various. I read about 20 books a month. Everything from history, fiction, and biographies. Reading is life-enriching. 20 books a month?

That's 240 books a year. That's incredible. According to BookNet Canada, 47% of Canadian readers read 1 to 5 books a year. 29% of Canadian readers, 6 to 11 books. 19% of Canadian readers 12 to 49 books. 6% of Canadian readers, 50 or more books. So, you're definitely in that 6%. And 31% of Canadians read no books at all.

in a given year. None. 31% almost a third of Canadians don't read it all. A book. Age group trends, Canadians age 65 and older, are the most likely group to read 12 or more books a year. The format preference print books remain the most popular format. Audio book listeners tend to fall into the group reading five or fewer books.

And we say reading when we're talking about audiobooks. I guess it's just kind of shorthand. Stephen Lane in Berkeley, Michigan. That's a northern suburb of Detroit. I'm drawn to books about real-life experiences, human relationships, overcoming adversity, and stories that help people better understand

individuals and families living with autism. I enjoy books that inspire, educate, and offer a deeper perspective on life. Between being a full-time dad and working, finding time to read has been challenging. But I'd love to make reading a bigger part of my life again. Bill Falk in Richmond, BC. I love books.

I read about 50 books a year, of which one-third is fiction and two-thirds non-fiction. I read to learn and for pure entertainment. In the non-fiction category, like you, Peter, I read a lot about World War II. and I enjoy general history where David McCullough is a favorite author. McCullough, by the way, has won two Pulitzer Prizes for biographies on Harry Truman and John Adams. He's written at least 10 other books on U.S. history.

Bill adds, and I like current events and anything that helps me better understand our complex world. Fiction is for entertainment and rarely disappoints. Willa Henry in Kingston I recently attended a session of book club for inmates at a nearby medium security penitentiary I was really struck by the insights and comments from the prisoners this organization provides books for prisoners what a wonderful tool for prisoners to self-educate

and reflect on their lives through the journey of reading it had a powerful impact on me and illustrated the magic of reading and its potential for all of us. Well, you might be interested to know that one of the teachers in our new book, a noble profession available for ordering, I'm sure, already at your local bookstore. It comes out November 2nd, I think is a publishing date by Simon Chuster. Anyway, Willa, you might be interested to know that one of the teachers in our book teaches at a Canadian prison.

Chase Knight in Toronto. I read about one book a month, 12 and a year. Depends, but that averages out well. Books mean a lot for me. They're where I find myself and others. Glad to be able to get the opportunity to use them and enjoy them. And Marie Klein in Toronto. I read about three books a month, usually mysteries or memoirs.

I get most books from the public library, which thankfully has ignored that I read them in the bath. Nothing is more relaxing than a bubble bath than a book. Okay. Adam McBurney in Bruce Jack Camp, and that's Northern BC, gold and silver mine accessible only by air. Books gave me an education when nobody was interested.

Help when nobody cared. Books have guided me through dark and sleepless nights. Books have allowed me to live a thousand lives and the courage to imagine a thousand more. I believe in books like I believe in my wife and daughter. Their existence and influence is enough to keep me on the right side of the grass. Martha Iprosil in Prince Edward County. It's about an hour west of Kingston, Ontario.

Over the last three years, I've read about 120 books per year. I know I keep track of the titles. Two-thirds of these books are audio books and one-third are books. both borrowed through our library. I particularly love professions, or excuse me, I particularly love memoirs or stories about real people on events.

A noble profession is on my to be read list. Should be, you'll like it. I confess reading has been an addiction of mine since my first hit at seven years old. Sandy Esposito. Sandy writes from Aurora. Ontario. It's north of Toronto. Books have been the constant threat of my life, from childhood

library trips to panic buying train reads. That quiet joy carried into retirement, where book clubs, audio books, and coffee and steam milk library dates with my grandchildren keep the tradition alive. Books aren't just a hobby. They are a deep part of my story. Nora Large in Ottawa who says she loves to read, sent us a something from River of Books, A Life of Reading by Donna Seaman, who is the editor for Book List, a book review magazine published by the American Library Association. Here's what Donna wrote. Like rivers, books connect places near and far.

Books and rivers contain and sustain lives. Books can be crystal clear or murky, serpentine or straight ahead, shallow or deep, slow-flowing or tumultuous. rivers and books carry the living and the dead, the past, present, and the future. Rivers and books define and transform the terrain across which they flow, and the people whose lives depend on them. Lana McLaren in Vancouver. Now being partially retired, I have more time for books. I listen to audiobooks more than I read, 95% from the public library, and consume three or four books per month. Hardest decision is when four books on hold

All come available on the same day Yeah, that's a challenge, is done. Deb Greening in District of Lakeland, Saskatchewan. Books are my everything and always have been. Before I could read picture books and being read to by mom and dad were the highlight of childhood. Luckily, the library system in our community and province is amazing. and provides we seniors on a fixed income,

a treasure trove of fiction and nonfiction. As old eyes get tired, the library provides audiobooks to download and also the social connection of a monthly book club. Phyllis Elaine in Moncton, New Brunswick. My mother read to me every night. Clifford the Big Red Dog was the first book I bought. I've read all my life and always have one nearby.

Since I retired, I read on average one per week. Autobiography, self-help, but mostly novels. I joined a book club at our library and enjoyed something, reading something I might not otherwise pick up. My favorite author is John Steinbeck, only hard copy for me. Here's another Steinbeck lover, Paulus Wobben in Ottawa. It is ironic that as I try to put into words how much reading means to me, I struggle.

Steinbeck's dedication in East of Eden speaks for me and my relationship with books. Nearly everything I have is in it, and it is not full. Pain and excitement are in it, and feeling good or bad and evil thoughts and good thoughts, the pleasure of design and some despair and the indescribable joy of creation. Thank you, John Steinbeck.

Wendy Cecil in Toronto. Reading is central in my life because the entire world is ours through the magic of ink on paper and audiobooks. Tickle my brain, pound my heart, unchain my imagination. Books help us grow and become more human by taking us to places we could otherwise never visit in this lifetime. History, biography, drama, comedy, politics, science, and poetry. The bookshelf is a ticket to anywhere and a gymnasium of the mind. heart and soul. Matthew La Rock in Gatno, Quebec.

I have many hobbies and interests, but I find that reading on my Kindle halts my brain. It allows me to disconnect from the daily grind and lose myself in a good book. I usually read thrillers, biographies, and business stories. Reading is fundamental.

And Dunn, who writes, Like you, Peter, I live with a foot in two worlds, Calgary, Alberta, and Kingston Peninsula, New Brunswick. That's about 40 cliques north of St. John. Boy, it's nice to kind of not quite bookend the country, but you know what I mean. At the age of 75, writes Anne, I can still clearly remember the surge of joy and allation I felt the day I learned to read. Wait for it, Dick and Jane. I thank the kindly gray nuns of Montreal for what has turned into a

lifelong love of the written word. Lately, I've been enjoying the spoken word via audio books from my local library. I love the fact that so many of you use your libraries. That's great. Amy Tierra in Edmonton. I read on a regular basis, probably reading about 40 books a year. I primarily use the Edmonton Public Library for my reading materials. I borrow physical books, e-books, and audio books from the library.

I also get quite a few books from a family member. You know, speaking of libraries, I'm, you know, I'll be on tour through most of November selling and promoting our new book, a noble profession, and one of the places I'll be is in Calgary at the Calgary Public Library. I've been there before. It's fantastic. Looking forward to that night. It's near the end of November. Don Dufour in Ottawa.

I enjoy a good book, but wouldn't call myself an avid reader. As a realist, full of optimism, I read mainly nonfiction and autobiographies. No romance novels for me. I like the experience of turning pages in a book, but will also use my Kindle when traveling. I read two to three books a year, and I'm currently enjoying Crossroads by Caleb Dahlgren of the Humboldt Bronwyn. An amazing story of resilience and courage. Caleb was on our program a couple of years ago about his book Crossroads, which is an amazing story.

And I'm sure you remember the humble Broncos accident that took the lives of so many of that team. And Caleb was on the Broncos. April 6, 2018, when it collided with a tractor trailer while heading to Nipiwin. Saskatchewan for playoff game. Sixteen people died that day at that intersection. Dolgerman was one of 13 who survived. He suffered a fractured skull, a puncture wound in his head, the brain injury, and six broken vertebrae in his neck and back.

It's an amazing book, Caleb's book. Ken Malagos and Regina, reading for me is a challenge, and I, as I have a learning disability, which includes dyslexia. Society makes judgments on individuals on how well they can read and that has a huge impact on the individual.

Yet that said, I value reading even though it is a struggle. I read most fiction, mostly fiction, one or two books a year. It keeps my mind stimulated as I age. All books do that for you. Stimulate the mind. Don Campbell in Colonna, BC.

I read about 50 books a year and try to alternate between fiction and intellectual or non-fiction titles because continuous learning matters and both can teach us. Fiction is, as the old saying goes, the great lie that tells the truth. As a legally blind reader, I rely on Libby audiobooks through my Colonna Library. When a book is hard to obtain, I use the Center for Equitable Library Access. That's a public library service for Canadians with print disabilities.

And occasionally Spotify, though its monthly limit is 10 hours. Kate Wilson in Toronto. Reading is one of the greatest gifts of life I've read to learn, escape, and be entertained. There's very little in life that's as good as a great book. How many 2 a.m. spent reading. Just one more page. I can't do that. If I try to read in bed,

I don't care what the book is. I'm gone in a page and a half. I'm asleep. But sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and read. Mavis Lowry in Vancouver. I read every night when I go to bed. I keep a note of each book, an author, in a bedside notebook.

I have 142 books listed so far and estimate that I read about three books a month. What joy and satisfaction it allows one to really understand things. Eric Landry in Longser, Germany, that's in Western Germany, on the border with Luxembourg. Since 2017, I've challenged myself to read at least 25 books a year. After learning that George W. Bush, of all people, reads at least as much while he was resident.

Let me try that again. I challenged myself to read at least 25 books a year after learning that George W. Bush read at least as much while he was president. I find that books give me a much deeper understanding of the human condition than any other medium. And yes, I count audiobooks. I wouldn't make it to 25 without them.

Linda Keith in Richmond Hill, Ontario I read mostly fiction to escape to change the channel and to travel. Thanks to a book club I joined over a decade ago, reading has expanded by horizons. We set the reading list once a year. Each month I can't wait to hear what others think of our latest title. Yes, reading takes time away from my endless to-do-lis, but it enriches the world.

and my world. Catherine Parent Gibbert in Montreal, Catherine Paron, Giba, in Montreal, after years of not reading enough, I joined two book clubs. I read on average two to three books a month. Making friends with book lovers has made me, has made my, man,

I'm having trouble reading today. Making friends with book lovers has made my to be red list long. So I also like to read books that aren't for book club. I buy a lot of books for my local bookshop, but also love using the library. I would say I read 80% fiction, 20% nonfiction. Okay, it's almost time for our break and to hear from the random ranter. But let's get a couple more in here. Michael Brisson in Kitchener, Ontario. The books we buy at our wonderful, by bookstore in Waterloo are by far outnumbered by the many used books, decades old, fiction, and non, that we buy frequently in groups at our local charitable thrift store,

greatly enjoy and then return to be purchased again and again by others at a very reasonable cost, thus contributing to the fine work of the local charitable thrift shop. Bruce Armstrong in Port Dover, Ontario. I'm an average reader of primarily mystery and historical fiction hardcover novels. On average, I read three to four books a month that are either signed out from the library or purchase from our local friendly bookstore, lovingly read and then passed on. As a senior, I feel that actively promoting and expanding the public library services is visibly an outstanding use of our municipal tax dollars.

Roland Lewis in Gatno, Quebec. I buy my books. I only read about five to seven books a year. Secondhand books that were owned by teachers are a delight. While reading the book, you can also find some interesting information that was included in pencil by the professor. I found one such book 15 years ago when my wife and I were in Kingston, Ontario, celebrating 25 years of marriage. I bought two Peter Mansbridge books this year from Amazon. Well, you can buy your third now, too, coming up in another week or so. Okay, here's our last letter before we take our break. And this is from 14-year-old Juliana Wicks in Delta, BC. Listen to this.

She's 14. I've read 150 books this year so far, and listen to 12 audiobooks. I usually read books borrowed from my local library. I love reading, any type of fiction, especially fantasy, mystery, and dystopian. I'm not sure I knew the word dystopian when I was 14, I'll tell you. Books matter to me because they're an escape from reality and a chance to imagine a whole new world.

One of my dreams is to write stories to captivate and inspire readers like me. Well, good for you, Juliana. I hope you get to do that dream. Okay, we're going to take a break. When we come back, it'll be the random ranter, and then we'll get back to your letters, and there's lots of them. Back right after this.

And welcome back. You're listening to The Bridge for this Thursday. It's Your Turn episode, and today we're dealing with books. How often do you read? What do you read? Why do you read? All of that.

You've supplied it. with some fantastic answers. And I've heard from lots of people today that we haven't heard from before on your turn. So welcome to the program. Good to have you with us. Okay, it's random ranter time. And just a reminder that the ranter...

The rander's a prairie boy. He lives on the prairies. And we love to hear from him each week. You know, he's just a guy. He laughs when I say that. He's just a guy. And what I mean by that is he doesn't work for any political party. He's not associated with any political party.

He's just a guy who's fascinated by what goes on around him and the world around him. And whether that's national politics or international affairs, he gets fascinated. And he talks about it. And he talks to a lot of people because he lives on the prairies, but he travels around the prairies. Okay, he's not just in one location. He gets around. He gets to talk to a lot of people.

He gets to hear a lot of things. And every week he shares his thoughts on whatever the topic may be that has struck him that week. He shares it with us and it inspires us to think. Don't have to agree with them, but we think about what he's talking about. So let's give him a world a random ranter for this week. Here he is. Look, I held off talking about the Alberta referendum because I know insulting the other side would only work to fuel them. So now that it's over, let me weigh in and say what I really think.

It was stupid is as stupid does. and it came at the worst possible time for both Alberta and the rest of the country. We're in the middle of a nasty trade war. We need to project strength and stability to the world, not wallow in a hornet's nest of grievances. What Smith calls an exercise in direct democracy, I call a stupid waste of money. I mean, it wasn't even a real referendum. It was a poll. the biggest, most expensive poll in the history of polls.

And look, calling it a poll is an insult to pollsters, because no self-respecting pollster would ever ask such convoluted questions, never mind draw conclusions from them. I'm sure there were constitutional lawyers having to read them twice before they voted. And oh yeah, to top it all off, the questions themselves, they were non-binding. So if it comes with an asterix, what's the point of the exercise? Was it to just burn through a pile of taxpayer money? I mean, I know Alberta is flushed with oil profits right now, but I'm not sure anyone would think blowing over $70 million on pure politics would be a good idea, especially when

you're already carrying $92 billion in provincial debt. Now, to add salt to injury, Smith is calling it direct democracy in action. Please, direct democracy? Is that what passes for an utter lack of leadership these days? Because to me, it sure smells like a dereliction of duty and nothing more. I'm sorry, but when you're the premier of a province, you've been elected to lead. That means making hard decisions when there are hard decisions to be made, not governing by the winds of whim. Look, I have a lot of faith in democracy, but we elect leaders to lead. Leaving the decisions of policy to the man on the street and some kind of pushpole sounds like leaving the whole system open to special interests, biases, and propaganda to me. I mean, if Smith thought she needed a fresh mandate from the people

to make some profound decision that would impact the future of Albertans, then she should have developed a policy platform and put it to the people in a general election. Anything less is cowardice. But look, if you really want to analyze the referendum, then you need to call it for what it truly was. Performative party politics, as in the very messy internal politics of the UCP. Look, the squeaky wheels of the trucker convoy have never gone away. They've just melted back into the conservative movements across the West. All those angry people with their Canadian flags and F. Trudeau signs that harangued us with their conspiracy vitriol, they're all still here. And no amount of Alberta oil will make them shut up.

Now, kudos to Scott Moe. He's managed to keep his house in order. But the convoy conspiracists across Manitoba, Alberta, and BC are all tearing their parties apart with their theories and extreme views. The only difference with Smith and the UCP is that she chose to gamble on a ginned up referendum in order to quell the dissent in her own party and stay in power. She's chosen herself over her province and her country. The fact that she's now announced that separatists have no place in the UCP really just makes it worse for me. I mean, I don't believe for a second that she's doing it out of any love for Canada. She's doing it because with 75% of Albertans voting to stay in Canada, going full-on federalist is her only shot at remaining in power.

I say good luck with that, Prebier Smith, because if this train wreck referendum has shown both sides anything, it's that you're the most unprincipled person in Canadian politics. Well, I guess we know where the random renters sits on that question. there you go. I'm sure I'll hear from some of you about the ranter this week, as I often do hear from you about the ranter. And so let's see what you have to say on that one. Okay, back to your letters about reading, about books, about libraries.

And as I said, there were lots and lots of letters. I'll get through as many as I can, but it will never get through them all. Laurie Wilder in Pickering, Ontario I love to read. My brothers and I learned to read at the knee of our father decades ago. We have a wonderful local bookstore in Uxbridge that we support and which will order us any book we want. A noble profession, by the way, is the name of the book.

I also love our local library, which helps to control the books buying budget. A world without books would be a sadder word. I'm a lifelong bookworm and my list is always growing. Much to my partner's chagrin, our home is overflowing with books, and I'm a frequent user of our public library. I love books in all formats. They are my friends, place of joy, source of knowledge, and my refuge in turbulent times. A world where books are not used and cherished is sad and dangerous.

Marilyn Sewell in Paris, Ontario. Book clubs encourage me to read books I'd likely overlook. It's insightful to understand how other people interpret what they read. I've served on our county library board for 12 years, and we're finally building a new library for our quickly growing community. That's great. An ongoing challenge is convincing the public and decision makers that the library is far more than books.

Patrick Chung, Toronto. I'm not a bookworm, but this year I have listened while running. More books than I ever had. My first book was yours off the record. Thank you. Then followed by various subjects, mental approach to sports, stock market, and a few on Canada. My recent one, true patriot love by Carol Off,

Carol's terrific journalist. Megan DePuy in Ottawa. I love books. I read around 150 a year and switch from Amazon to buying local and borrowing from the library. Liz Fuller in Langley, BC, books are my happy place. I would live at a bookstore if I could. I read mostly biographies, literary travel, self-growth, and some fiction. They keep my brain going after.

suffering a brain injury in 2020 and suffering another one a week ago. Harts to read right now, but I'm sure I'll be a bookworm as soon as possible. Good luck with that, Liz. Barbara Holmes in Guelph, Ontario. Libraries are a book reader's treasure. I've been charting my book reading history since November 2015. I read between two and five books a month. I like Canadian authors and stories and stories.

I like historical fiction, autobiographies, bestsellers, although not necessarily the artistic winners. Sometimes they are too weird. I like happy endings, or at least endings that are satisfying. I like authors, I know,

and I like to learn. Sandra Thomas in Peterborough, Ontario. I read about 75 books a year. These are amazing numbers. 75 books a year, that's a lot of books. one out of four non-fiction, memoirs, biographies, or favorites, and three out of four are fiction, mostly historical and literary fiction. In this age of division, if everyone would just read,

it would go a long way towards healing. It doesn't really matter what is read. Reading from a wide variety of cultures, times, and places builds empathy and understanding. You know, I like to think, What do you think is on Donald Trump's bedside table? Which stack of books do you think he's got there that he reads every night? No comment.

Ursula Cowison in Toronto. I'm 68 and I love the feeling of holding a book in my hands. I spend between $500 and $800 on used paperback books from Amazon per year. Don't use the library. Most books are hardcover and I hate the return date. Hmm Don Thompson in Canadian living In the Woodlands, Texas

Oh, excuse me Dawn is a Canadian Living in the Woodlands, Texas That's in the Houston area I'm a voracious reader While I normally average 60 to 70 books a year Yep, that's voracious I hit 100 last year

And I'm on pace for 80 in 2026 I enjoy anything, but my favorite genre is historical fiction, particularly World War I and two novels, centering on female characters. I usually balance three books at a time and have over 200 titles on my reading list. Wow. Edwin Platt in Three Hills, Alberta. I was diagnosed with a reading comprehension learning disability in high school. Although I received some extra help, reading remained difficult, and I rarely read books.

In 2016, I discovered biographies. Because I was familiar with many of the people's life stories, I found them enjoyable and much easier to understand. Unfortunately, the demands of making a living over the past six years have interrupted my reading. Several biographies remain on my bookshelf, waiting to be enjoyed. Joel Rivard in Ottawa.

When it comes to getting books, I almost always choose borrowing over buying, but I'm biased as I work as an academic librarian. Visiting our local library is a huge part of my family's routine. My three kids, twin nine-year-old boys, a 16-year-old daughter, love browsing the shells for books. While I split my time between print books and downloading e-books, straight to my co-bow. As October is Canadian Library Month, I encourage everyone to, drop by their local branch and discover endless reading for free. Well, you've still got almost 10 days to take part in the Canadian Library Month.

Tom Simmington in Fairmont Hot Springs, BC. That's southeastern BC, near the Alberta border. It's only a couple of hours south of Banff. A lifetime of reading, school, then to be reading. teaching, I miss newspapers and weekly magazines. The Columbia Ridge Book Club keeps me abreast of very genre. I lean to historical fiction. I stick with print versions. Biographies, memoirs are revealing. So important as we look to the future. The Invermere Public Library is an indispensable asset to our valley. Muriel Hopper in Perth, Ontario, we have a knitting club at the Perth Library

on Wednesday mornings, I'm on the friends of the library committee and volunteer with fundraising. I only read mysteries. And Thevnot in Alexandria, Ontario. That's about halfway between Ottawa and Montreal. I read about three audiobooks and two paperbacks a month. I read fiction and non-fiction books, biographies, autobiographies, and stories that connect me to different kinds of people's lives. Their struggles and perspectives on the world. I look forward to connecting with my characters as often as I can, to remind myself, I am not alone.

Kaylee Peters in Victoria. I've always loved reading and books, and not only for escapism and entertainment, but for curiosity and learning. Most books I read are non-fiction, and I get them from the library. What a magical place. all these stories, ideas, and knowledge available for free at the library. In a world that is increasingly chaotic, books remain a stable and uniquely human way to pass the time, connect with oneself, and expand friendships. Esther Ewing in Gravenhurst, Ontario, that's on Lake Muscoe, north of Toronto. Books have had an immense impact on me as I grew up. Dad would read aloud while my brother and I did the

and my mother knit. We got to know classics such as the Three Musketeers, David Copperfield, and Kidnapped, all before I was in grade six. As a parent and grandparent, I have seen firsthand how excited kids are to be read to and how this enriches our lives. James Pontillo in Hamilton I read anywhere from 50 to 80 books a year. As a high school English teacher, I feel that it's my school English teacher, I feel that it's

my duty to read books and model for my students, what it means to be an engaged and literate member of society. To that end, I'm always careful to balance my diet of literary fiction with Canadian arts and letters, of which we have some of the best in the world. Nicole Robere in Burlington. I read books regularly. It's an amazing way to learn about the human condition from various perspectives. I participate in my public libraries reading challenge with monthly themes like read a book that makes you laugh out loud. It's been a great way to explore old favorites, discover new gems, and discuss different themes. And for your information, the library also offers free access to magazines and newspapers,

which are usually behind paywall, so it's a really good point. Vive la Bibliotheque. Noel Pruden in Winnipeg. I have never kept track of my reading. I read all kinds, nonfiction, fiction, and graphic novels. I have a tendency for historical fiction in World War II histories. I've come around recently to more contemporary fiction, chiefly through my girlfriend's book club finds.

I use libraries currently waiting for a copy of Off the Record. Hopefully before your event at McNally. That's in Winnipeg, right? McNally's bookstore is a fantastic place. I do purchase books, but skimmed down. my collection periodically with little free library donations. Off the record, by the way, it's basically a book full of anecdotes of my time in my time of the CBC. I've written a couple books since then, including the one that's coming out in two weeks time along with Mark

Boguch. A noble profession it's called. It's about teachers. It's a glowing endorsement of the work teachers do. And I hope you'll read it. I know there are a lot of teachers who have been writing to me saying they can't wait for the book to come out and what is it going to be like. I think you'll be happy. Not because it's just praising

teachers, but it's talking about just what that job is really like through the voices, memories, and stories of teachers themselves from coast to coast to coast. Jade Poitier-Kryndel in Winnipeg. I read 10 to 15 books a year. These days I'm enjoying historical novels.

What I like about books is that they make me imagine the characters the way I want, and I become attached to them and their story. I just love it. Christine Franzen in Dundas, Ontario. I prefer paperbacks, but audiobooks are awesome for hiking with my dog. Historical fiction is my favorite. especially stories about women who participated in the World War II resistance,

memoirs and fun fiction are next on my favorite list. I believe that if people spent more time reading books and less time on social media, society as a whole, would be happier. Aaron Levitt in Toronto, I host a free, weekly, quiet reading night at cafes and patios across the city. About 50 people come. There's no assigned reading, so I ask. everyone what they brought, then introduce people reading similar things.

Nearly all physical books, the common thread is purpose, community, and uncertainty. People are asking books whether their lives will matter. Me too. Mike Johnston in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Sometimes books can be extra memorable when read at the right place and the right time. I was given Jennifer Nivens the Ice Master by my wife's grandfather. The doomed 1913 Carluck expedition told through the crew's recover journals. An Arctic expedition that became trapped in sea ice in August 1913,

the Carleck drifted for months before being crushed and sinking. On January 11, 1914, the captain, Robert Bartlett, led survivors to Wrangle Island, resulting in 11 deaths before a rescue in September of 1914. Mike writes, I decided I'd read it one February while I was living in Saskatoon, a harrowing tale that I always recommend, but not for anyone trying to cozy up during a prairie winter. Pat Solomon in Port Franks, Ontario, that's southwestern Ontario.

Are books important in my life? Yes, I read about a book in about a day or so. Wow. Amazon says, I'm in the top 3% 225 books last year. But hey, I'm retired. Between Kindle Unlimited and my library card, I can read and reread books whenever I want.

I enjoy books that are in a series. Jeffrey Archer's Clifton series is my favorite. Mysteries, rom-com, family, saga, and Harry Potter, these are my favorites. Joseph Murdoch Flowers in Ottawa. Last year I moved from Ekeleby to Ottawa. Two things that helped me fall in love with my new city, the Frontier League Baseball Champion Ottawa Titans,

and two, the Ottawa Public Library. I have a list of holds and I receive email notices to pick up my books. I've been reading a lot more since moving to Ottawa, and I love it. Brian Hodgson in Nanaimo, BC. I got hooked on books in 1969 when I was 10 years old. My dad started reading J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. I hadn't seen him in three years because of a nasty divorce and my mom's tragic death. I was traumatized and withdrawn.

My dad used The Hobbit to help me get to sleep and to reconnect with me. I finished the book on my own and began to read every day. For the past 20 years, I read on Kindle. Wow. Has Kindle been around 20 years already? Janet Linkletter in Ottawa. I enjoy listening to audible books and reading e-books as I can access them easily on my iPhone and iPad.

They take up little space for traveling, are eco-friendly, and are easy to turn pages and hold. I source most of this digital media from the Ottawa Public Library. Libby's and Cloud Library Apps. They are free which helps cut costs considerably since I read a lot. Last one for today.

Judy Skeen and Sue St. Marie, Ontario. My mother belonged to a Book of the Month Club, while my father, who accumulated over 200 books about Abraham Lincoln's, refused to read fiction. I subscribe to many magazines now belong to our library book club called book and a bag.

Yes, I love reading. That's one of the constants in all these letters that I've read. You know, library, book club, and a love of reading that takes you into a whole new world of imagination and thought and inspiration and study. Now, as I've said all along, we had far more letters than the ones I've been able to read. And I saw pages and pages of letters here that I was hoping to get to. I'm not going to throw them out. We're going to hold on to these and see where we'll go in the future with them.

We may do a return to this subject, but we won't throw out your letters. We appreciate them all, all of them, the ones that we've read and the ones that we didn't get to. All right, that's going to do it for today. You know tomorrow it's good talk. Chantelle Ibert, Bruce Anderson. Always lots to talk about those two. And we'll do that when we come back here in about 24 hours time. Until then, thanks for listening.

I'm Peter Mansbridge. Bye for now.