Library Reflections: An Anthology

By Scarborough Scribblers, Brenda Dow, Tina Loretta F. Golland and 8 more

Let us take you on a series of library adventures... from home to space, from a senior sandwich snatcher to an imaginative job applicant, from a library ghost buster to a humorous book club misadventure, from a teen vampire fantasy to a historical romance, from a library on Mars to an archive in space, from a personal reflection to a tour of the library.

Don't miss your chance to annoy your favourite librarians with loud guffaws and horrified screams. They'll just smile and show you their copies of Library Reflections.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Scarborough Scribblers
• Release date: Jun 9, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311428080

Scarborough Scribblers

We are a writers group that meets at Albert Campbell Branch of the Toronto Public Library. The group started out in late 2014, with just 3 members. They were strangers sitting quietly around a meeting room table, taking turns sharing writing and offering critique. Over time, membership grew and the strangers became a writing family. Soon,meetings became loud and boisterous events filled with laughter. The writers found power in their unique creative voices and became the Scarborough Scribblers. Then, in 2016, they published their first anthology, Library Reflections. Which brings us here, today.

Book preview

Library Reflections: An Anthology

Brenda Dow

Tina Loretta F. Golland

Frances Katsiaounis

Diana Kiesners

Larry Kosowan

Esther Lok

Marilyn McNeil

Maria Samurin

Betty Stewart

Xavier Wynn-Williams

A GRAVEL BAR BOOK

Library Reflections: An Anthology

Copyright © 2016

Cherrycliffe Book Club © Brenda Dow; A Matter of Judgment © Brenda Dow; Application for a Library Page © Tina Loretta F. Golland; Out of This World Library © Frances Katsiaounis; Feng Shui of Books © Diana Kiesners; The Helplessness of Ants © Larry Kosowan; In His Books © Larry Kosowan; Keeping the Library © Esther Lok; One Night with You © Marilyn McNeil; Destiny © Maria Samurin; Henry at the Library © Betty Stewart; Fiction Goo © Xavier Wynn-Williams

This anthology is comprised of works of fiction. All names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Cover art © Tina Loretta F. Golland, 2016

Interior design, typesetting, layout © Maria Samurin, 2016

Paperback ISBN 9780994953605

eBook ISBN 9781311428080

All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in any reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without the prior written consent of the authors.

Contents

Introduction by Chai Chid Huguenot

Brenda Dow

Cherrycliffe Book Club

A Matter of Judgment

Tina Loretta F. Golland

Application for a Library Page

Frances Katsiaounis

Out of This World Library

Diana Kiesners

Feng Shui of Books

Larry Kosowan

The Helplessness of Ants

In His Books

Esther Lok

Keeping the Library

Marilyn McNeil

One Night with You

Maria Samurin

Destiny

Betty Stewart

Henry at the Library

Xavier Wynn Williams

Fiction Goo

About the Contributors

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Library Reflections is the first anthology of the Scarborough Scribblers. It came about in 2015, when a new writers’ group was formed. They met at Albert Campbell District Library, first once a month, soon every other week. Writing called to them, and they answered. They became a family, a group drawn together not by blood, but by words.

Time passed, and the group became fondly known as the Scarborough Scribblers. Though they existed in writing bliss, something was missing; a niggling feeling which grew in its persistence. Then, they had it! They knew exactly what needed to be done. Which is how Library Reflections—the treasure you now hold in your hands—was born.

The group had actually deliberated on the anthology theme for some time, but eventually settled on writing about libraries. Some chose public libraries, others school or even home libraries, and a few thought big and imagined libraries in space. Some wrote poems, others short stories. Some pieces were completed quickly, others over time. Their differences were many, but they complemented each other in a way that defies logic.

At each meeting, the Scribblers brought in work in progress for review and commentary from fellow members. The work always remained a unique statement by the author, and yet it was also improved on the anvil of literary criticism.

Besides the feedback, edit, and review process at each meeting, the Scribblers regularly honed their writing and storytelling skills by practicing timed writing exercises from written or verbal word prompts. There’s nothing like a stopwatch to create a short term pressure-cooker of inspiration and hilarious writing. Who knew deadlines could be fun?

The Scribblers, of course, also wanted to read books about writing. The group facilitator always made sure that several were available for checkout at every Scribblers meeting. Writers would return inspired and share their discoveries with the group.

So, without further ado, I give you, Library Reflections: An Anthology by the Scarborough Scribblers. I hope you love it as much as I do.

Chai Chid Huguenot

A Scarborough Scribblers fan

Brenda Dow

Brenda Dow immigrated to Canada from the U.K. in 1956, working in insurance for four years before marriage to husband Brian, and leaving her position to start a family of three sons. Later, returning to the work force at a highly reputable community newspaper, she gained a B.A. in History as a mature student.

Dow’s writing credits include Earl for a Season, a Regency romance, and three Regency mysteries, Friend at Court, Snap Judgment and Friends and Enemies.

A Matter of Judgment is based on a chapter from one of the Regency mysteries, told from the different viewpoint of one of the characters. The Cherrycliffe Book Club is Dow’s first attempt at humour and writing in the first person.

FICTION DOW

The Cherrycliffe Book Club

Brenda Dow

It’s your turn, Edna! Augusta, Commissar of the Cherrycliffe Book Club, fixed me with a withering eye. ‘The Deceptive Web’, by Don Quondo. No more excuses!

Too embarrassed to argue, I just nodded. I felt my cheeks burn. The thought of introducing a book to this group of intellectual Titans intimidated me. Drat on Bill for insisting I broaden my appreciation for the right sort of reading matter by joining a book club. I’d been happy with vampires and whodunits until I met him.

Four days later, I realized how tight my timetable would be. Five weeks to the next meeting. I’d been looking forward to our great adventure – a month of hostelling in Europe with Bill. No computers, no emails, pure freedom! Not to worry! Afterwards I’d have a whole week to work on my introduction to The Deceptive Web. No problem!

I opted for a little tube time while I waited for Bill to come over. One of those book interviews was in progress. Suddenly I heard the words Deceptive Web. I focused. Don Quondo was the interviewee, and I heard the words Run, don’t walk, to the nearest bookstore to buy this book. I smirked. At least I’ll be reading a book that will please Bill. I can grab a copy from the library and take it to read on holiday.

No way, no books! Bill declared. We’re traveling light, remember? What will you leave out of your knapsack to fit in even one book? Besides, the book would be overdue when we get back. Read it then. You’re a quick study.

Next day, Augusta sent an email, reminding me to get hold of the book, pointing out that a growing interest in that title meant that it might be hard to get hold of a copy.

Suddenly my temples were throbbing in tune with my heartbeat. I did not have time to read the book now. When I got back from Europe I might not be able to pick up a copy. Buying heavy reading was not in my budget. Desperation fed me inspiration. I had two days, enough time to skim through the book and get it back before taking to the skies. Information about the