The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes 8 min on the Ossington 63 Bus (northbound) There was no sleep. Everyone tells you that. “Get your rest now”. As if you can draw from these squirreled away rations later. Little kernels of rest waiting to be cracked open. In Case of Read more
The 42nd Parallel John Dos Passos</ 8 min @ Lit on College " I can tell by the look on your face I'm not what you expected me to look like." Morton remained stock still with that bug-eyed look that so irritated Mona. He managed a nod as he stepped Read more
Ru by Kim Thuy 8 min @ Rooster cafe Sao Mai had cheated to get where she was. The remedies weren’t hers to claim but the dead can’t talk. Even if her mother had been able to denounce her, who would translate the shrill accusations of a half blind Cantonese Read more
Self-Help by Lorrie Moore 8 min @ the desk, Toronto 4:44 Make a wish. Wish for a bigger apartment. Something with a wall between the bed and the table. You know the wishes don’t work. Except that one time. But it was 11:11. In the morning. Mornings are hard working the Read more
I Love Yous Are For White Peopleby Lac Su 5 min @ Starbucks on Bathurst & Queen, 10:54pm Mamma always gots mad when I loses things. Every time I loses something new she would list all the things I losed before. She says that’s why she won’t give me nothing Read more
“I don’t have anything to do.” This is a common plaint of the nephews when they know exactly what they want to do but know it’s outside their reach. This is usually an activity involving a screen. It’s a version of the “I’m bored” whine I used to serve, sans Read more
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley 8 min @ Litttle Nicky’s Every morning. Like clockwork. Literally. Maris would rise at five thirty. He used an alarm. Had too, because of the insomnia. But he had to keep consistent or he’d lose his spot. Five thirty five: cold water on the Read more
My Booky Wook by Russell Brand 8 min @ my desk, Toronto Fuck. Seriously? Every single time… Just once, a break. Please God. The brother had a gimp leg and a curdled smell to his breath. He had cornered her by the big speaker at the corner. The bass shattered through Read more