The University of Toronto is pleased to invite you to join our Alumni Virtual Book Club. Join fellow alumni for lively discussion about books related to lifelong learning, social issues, psychology and more. 

Our next title is Crow Winter by U of T alumna and author Karen McBride.

Nanabush. A name that has a certain weight on the tongue—a taste. Like lit sage in a windowless room or aluminum foil on a metal filling.

Trickster. Storyteller. Shape-shifter. An ancient troublemaker with the power to do great things, only he doesn’t want to put in the work.

Since coming home to Spirit Bear Point First Nation, Hazel Ellis has been dreaming of an old crow. He tells her he’s here to help her, save her. From what, exactly? Sure, her dad’s been dead for almost two years and she hasn’t quite reconciled that grief, but is that worth the time of an Algonquin demigod?

Soon Hazel learns that there’s more at play than just her own sadness and doubt. The quarry that’s been lying unsullied for over a century on her father’s property is stirring the old magic that crosses the boundaries between this world and the next. With the aid of Nanabush, Hazel must unravel a web of deceit that, if left untouched, could destroy her family and her home on both sides of the Medicine Wheel.

From July 22 - August 31, 2024, purchase the book from the U of T Bookstore, in store or online, and receive 20% off. Use Code: CROW20 at checkout. 

Karen McBride is Algonquin Anishnaabe from the Timiskaming First Nation in the territory that is now Quebec. Growing up on the Rez meant the bush was her backyard and that backyard became all manner of places: Middle-earth, Hyrule, a world populated by zombies, and all things in between.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and English, as well as a Bachelor of Education from the University of Ottawa. Karen furthered her studies and obtained her Master of Arts in the Field of Creative Writing from the University of Toronto.

She loves to write stories about truth and healing, but mostly about magic and myth. She hopes to continue to explore the themes and lessons taught to her through the oral tradition of her elders and ancestors.

Her acclaimed debut novel, Crow Winter, was shortlisted for the 2020 Sunburst Award for Excellence in Canadian Literature of the Fantastic, the PMG Indigenous Literature Award, and was a finalist for the Ottawa Book Awards.

How it Works

The U of T Alumni Virtual Book Club will connect through a private forum, powered by PBC Guru, where participants can discuss the current book and network with each other. Joining is free; you just have to get a copy of the book to enjoy. Please note that if you signed up for one of our previous sessions, then you're already registered - just sign into the U of T online portal.

To get started and access the book club, you will need to create an account via our book club portal:

• Click on the "Registration" button on the side bar to your right
• You'll be taken directly to the sign-up page
• Fill out the mandatory fields and then join
• You'll be sent a confirmation email and a link to join the group

Computer Literacy

You will need to have knowledge of the following skills to participate in this book club:

• Ability to use online communication tools, such as email (create, send, receive, reply, print, send/receive attachments), discussion boards (read, search, post, reply, follow threads), chats, and messengers.
• Understanding of basic computer hardware and software; ability to perform computer operations, such as:
  • Using software applications, such as email programs
  • Knowledge of copying and pasting, spell-checking
  • Internet skills (connecting, accessing, using browsers) and ability to perform online research using search engines