Our Community Member Series: Meet Melanie
Genuine human connection has never felt more valuable than it does right now. And while we can’t currently meet with each other in person, we’re doing everything we can to stay connected.
To help foster the sense of community that makes BooknBrunch so special, we thought we’d introduce you to a few of our members. Be sure to read our previous interviews with Natalie and Tracey.
You may see them in our Weekly Pulse Check-Ins or at one of our virtual book club meet-ups, and hopefully, you’ll be reading, meeting, and eating with them again soon enough!
In our Final Community Series Installment, We’re Introducing you to our Member and Brookie Host, Melanie!
Melanie is from Toronto, Ontario, and does administrative work in Education within the regulatory body for teachers in Ontario.
- What drew you to BooknBrunch?
I was looking for things to do on my own in Toronto that had me out enjoying various neighbourhoods in the city and still able to meet others. I had attended various other book clubs before finding BooknBrunch. I found the BooknBrunch events better fit my schedule since they were typically on a weekend morning roughly about once a month at a different brunch place each time.
I felt it was a safe environment from the start to get to know people who loved reading books but also wanted that in-person interaction. It was also nice to experience brunch places and restaurants around town—I’ve gone back to some of the restaurants I’ve really enjoyed with friends and family after the initial visit through BooknBrunch.
- If you could pick one author to share a meal with, who would it be and where would you go?
Bill Bryson would be the author I’d have brunch with. He writes about his travel experiences and some other historical non-fiction books and I’ve always enjoyed his entertaining writing. We’d probably have brunch at Otto’s Bierhalle as it would fit some of his European travel books.
- If you had to choose one book to read for the rest of your life, what would it be?
This is a hard question to answer. I’d have to say One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. It’s one of a handful of books that I have actually read a few times. There are enough elements in the storyline to keep me interested in reading this book for the rest of my life.
- What does your self-care routine look like?
My self-care routine would typically include something crafty or creative where I’m making something (it may involve a face mask as well). I find the activities that involve my hands, which is usually knitting or baking, in the making process is usually quite calming and takes my mind off of the things that are bothering me in that moment.
- What is your favourite BooknBrunch event that you’ve attended? What made it special?
It was one of the early events that BooknBrunch had when they were in the process of moving platforms. It was at Otto’s Bierhalle sharing a family-style meal together. I found it was more intimate, sharing a meal and conversation with a smaller group of mostly regular BooknBrunch attendees I had met at previous BooknBrunch events. It was nice to share the event with the group that I hadn’t always sat with at previous events.
Looking to meet people in a local book club? Whether it’s online or in-person, we’d love for you to join our community! Get started here.
Shannon Hodgen is a lifelong writer, DIY enthusiast, and homebody. She satisfies her need to put pen to paper–or, more accurately, fingertips to keyboard–as an agency copywriter, blog contributor, and freelance editor in Toronto.
Favourite Book: The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Favourite Brunch Spot: Dirty Food Eatery in The Junction
