How many times have you finished a great book, but you don’t have anyone to discuss it with? BooknBrunch takes this to the next level by offering not only a venue to meet with other fans of a particular book, but also to enjoy brunch. Torontonicity attended BooknBrunch on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at Eastbound Brewing Co. to enjoy delicious eats and discuss Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch. [Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary ticket for this brunch in order to write my review.]
We all met at 11 a.m. at Eastbound Brewing Co. at Queen St. E. and Broadview Avenue. Our BooknBrunch host, Melanie Franks, introduced everyone and made us all feel welcome. We were a fairly intimate group of nine women coming from various corners of the city. Many of us were excited by the fact that The Goldfinch is premiering at TIFF on the very day we met. Included with this event’s $60 brunch ticket were two tickets to see The Goldfinch at a theatre from September 23, 2019 onwards.
We placed our order for brunch before digging into our discussion. Our ticket included:
Coffee, tea or juice
Eastbound Standard: Two eggs, grilled avocado or house-made bacon, brioche toast and breakfast potatoes; OR
Fork & Knife Chicken Sandwich: Sweet & spicy Buffalo Sauce, smoked cheddar, maple-bacon pancake bun, 2 egg omelet; OR
Brewhouse Breakfast Sandwich: Grilled Peameal Bacon, cheddar omelet, beer mustard.
We all agreed that the food at Eastbound Brewing Co. is very good and the portions were a good size. I loved the grilled avocado and crispy breakfast potatoes that came with my Eastbound Standard!
Some of us had read The Goldfinch over a year ago. That didn’t seem to matter because we were able to fill group members in on details that they may have forgotten. Everyone had read or had almost finished the book, which led to lively discussions such as whether the book’s second segment that takes place in a deserted Las Vegas subdivision required editing or whether it played an integral role in allowing the reader to experience Theo’s despair.
Because there were only nine of us, we were generally able to have just one discussion concerning the book, although on a few occasions, the group broke into two separate discussions. I loved that our group did not interrupt group members and listened to each person when they spoke.
Listening to our group members’ various opinions on what Tartt was trying to accomplish really made me delve deeper into the book than I would have on my own.
After our brunch, the manager of Eastbound Brewing Co. took us downstairs on a brewery tour. We learned how craft beer is made, as well as the different ingredients that affect the taste of the final product. Here’s our group posing by the kettles and tanks on the lower level of the restaurant.
If you’re like me and 1) enjoy reading great books 2) enjoy trying new brunch restaurants and 3) like meeting new people, you definitely have to check out BooknBrunch. I had such a great experience and I’m sure you will too!
Booklovers might want to enter my giveaway to win copies of Watching You Without Me and My Delhi Obsession.
Such a neat idea to meet others who share the same love for reading a great book. Looks like you all had a fantastic time. I would really like to try the grilled avocodo. The whole Eastbound standard breakfast looks so delicious!
I agree. I like the idea that all the members chose this event because they had read and enjoyed The Goldfinch. Grilled avocado is delicious…it’s the first time I’ve had it! Cheers, Lori
This is a dream gathering. We used to do the same a couple years ago. Your post makes me want to renew our book club meetings.
I agree…it was so much fun! I like that we were all enthused about the book and getting to discuss it over brunch was even better! Cheers, Lori
That is awesome! I have experienced that before, after having read a good book that none of my friends have read. BooknBrunch is a great way to meet people sharing the same interests and have a lively discussion while enjoying delicious food!
Yes, I agree. I often read books that no one else has read yet and have no one to discuss them with! Cheers, Lori
Looks like a fun time! One of my favorite books I read last year.
Yes, I loved the book too! Cheers, Lori
What a great way to discuss books! I love how books bring folks together like this.
Yes, brunch and books is a great combination! Cheers, Lori
Looks like a fun way to get together and discuss books! I read the book long ago, and I just saw there is a movie coming out. I will have to re-read it, and I’m jealous we don’t have a group like this near me!
Yes, the movie is out now. I’m planning on seeing it although I always think that the books are better than the movies! Cheers, Lori
That is such a great way to meet up with booklovers! I wish there was something like that here where I live. It would be a chance to meet like-minded people and have a good discussion over great food and drinks.
I agree. It’s a great opportunity to meet with like-minded people to enjoy brunch and books! Cheers, Lori
This is a wonderful idea. I am planning to launch my book by the end of the year and it would definitely be a great idea to hold a brunch. It is a perfect way to build a community.
That would be a perfect way to launch your book! Good luck with it! Cheers, Lori
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