Our Community Member Series: Meet Tracey
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. Read our previous interview with Natalie here.
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 Part Two of Our Community Series, We’re Introducing you to Tracey!
Tracey is a Hamilton native living in Toronto, Ontario. She has a wedding and event planning background (with her own business in Las Vegas from 2002 – 2011) and has been a Wedding and Gift Registry Consultant in downtown Toronto since 2014.
Her favourite quote: “The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.” — Bertrand Russell
Her good life includes the best of times with family and friends, filling her passport, her dog Stella, being outdoors in the sun (she’s a Leo baby), music to enjoy and dance to, and sharing ideas and sparkling conversation over a great piece of pizza and a glass of red wine or Prosecco.
Some of her favourite genres and authors include historical fiction, biographies and memoirs, Malcolm Gladwell, Seth Godin, Brené Brown/spiritual growth, medical and psycho-thrillers, European history, and anything about Italy. And she does love delicious, indulgent, sexy, and saucy romance novels!
- What drew you to BooknBrunch?
I wanted to expand my world and connections. BooknBrunch was a new community of interesting and diverse humans who share my appreciation for the power of books and sharing of ideas; the joy of talking about them together over good food and that place (online or face to face) and space “of belonging” with what I just knew are my kind of people.
- If you could pick one author to share a meal with, who would it be and where would you go?
Dianne Hales who writes books about a mutual La Passione (her latest book) for all things Italy! And of course, I would want to be talking with her about all things Italy over a plate of Spaghetti a Limone and a glass of Prosecco on the terrace of ZAAS Ristorante at Hotel Il San Pietro in Positano, Italy. If I could show you what my heaven looks like, it’s that hotel, that view, that place!
- If you had to choose one book to read for the rest of your life, what would it be?
LOL, no pressure! Wow, ok… it’s a book with 12 steps because it allows me to be present, to appreciate, enjoy, and learn from all the words that all other books give to me.
That being said, I can’t resist mentioning… Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown and my favourite sexy book series This Man by Jody Ellen Malpas (The Alpha-male, Jesse, is 75 shades hotter than Christian Grey!). I’ve lost count of how many rereads on this.
- What does your self-care routine look like?
I lay in bed for 30 minutes after my alarm goes off around 7:30 – 8:00 AM. I do whatever my brain and body want to do (pray or read or meditate). I eat three meals a day and an optional snack.
During this stay-at-home time, I have had the luxury to take a 45-minute walk with my dog Stella twice a day and do Body Groove dance routines at home. I join the live IG with BooknBrunch daily check-in and meditation. I call into other communities for connecting. I’m trying to get back to a better sleep pattern but sometimes a great book keeps me up. I’m sure we all have been there 😉 #Coffeeisselfcare.
I can’t wait to get back to therapeutic massage, facials, mani-pedis, and hair appointments! A day of nirvanahhh for me is a spa day.
- What is your favourite BooknBrunch event that you’ve attended? What made it special?
Unfortunately, I have not been to a live event yet as so many have been on weekends and I work many of them, being in retail. Just as I noticed some interesting events on weekdays, the world shut down with COVID-19.
I am so grateful I joined the Pulse meetings on Zoom that Daniela and Zuzana created for us in response. It has been a huge part of my sanity right now. It’s a blast to connect with and see people locally and globally to share a mutual love of books, food (Italian, Spanish, Mexican, Portuguese, South American, Middle Eastern are my faves) and be together-apart.
I am stoked for the upcoming online Untamed Cheetah birthday party Daniela is throwing for herself! I hope to get some experience under my belt attending so I can be a future host.
I’m also a huge music lover (as I’m sure many of us are) and Spotify is the best thing ever! As an event planner, music and entertainment planning was always my thing! I would make a customized wedding soundtrack CD of all my clients’ highlighted ceremony and reception selections plus some fun iconic Vegas tunes. I still create and share playlists (the 21st-century mixtape) for my friends and myself based on my travels, reading, and interests. I even created a playlist for my dog Stella!
Keep an eye out for our next community member profile, where we introduce you to Melanie!
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
