Books – Hye's Musings

Artist Spotlight, Arts & Culture, Books, Hye's Picks, Interviews, Literature, Television

Spotlight: Lenore Zann’s Origin Story

July 13, 2025

Despite numerous obstacles, small-town girl Lenore Zann caught the acting bug early. She was “discovered” at 19 and chosen to play Marilyn Monroe in a rock opera based on the life of the tragic movie star. Her powerhouse performance kickstarted her career, leading to hundreds of acting credits in film, TV, theatre, radio, and animation, including her iconic portrayal of Rogue in the very popular animated series X-Men: The Animated Series.

In A Rogue’s Tale: A Memoir, the multi-talented Zann recounts her life story from childhood to present.

Arts & Culture, Books, Hye's Picks, Literature

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MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival Returns With New & Acclaimed Authors

June 26, 2025

The Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) hosts MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival for its fourth year from June 27 to 29 at University of Toronto (U of T).

In a new partnership with Victoria University at U of T (one of favourite places in the city!), MOTIVE will transform the college’s gothic halls into the centre of literary suspense for the weekend.

Similar to last year’s festival, I am sharing my personal picks of events for us to immerse ourselves during the course of the festival.

Books, Hye's Picks, Literature, Poetry

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In The City: Toronto International Festival of Authors

September 21, 2024

The Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) is in full effect with over 100 artists and authors from 11 countries. This year’s festival is exploring the concept of “writing home” – from books and stories about the places we all call home, to the ideas, cultures and conflicts that inform what home means to us.

There are plenty of fun and interesting talks and events for everyone in the family.

For fellow bibliophiles, I have put a list of events happening at TIFA this year.

Artist Spotlight, Books, Hye's Picks, Interviews, Literature

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TIFA 2024: Author Clarissa Trinidad Gonzalez

September 20, 2024

The Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) returns this year with over 100 artists and authors from 11 countries. The 2024 festival will explore the concept of “writing home” – from books and stories about the places we all call home, to the ideas, cultures and conflicts that inform what home means to us.

TIFA always gives us an opportunity to hear from and meet some new authors like Clarissa Trinidad Gonzalez.

Arts & Culture, Books, Film, Hye's Picks, Literature

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In The City: MOTIVE – Canada’s Premier Crime & Mystery Festival

June 4, 2024

The Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA)’s third annual MOTIVE, Canada’s premier crime and mystery festival takes over Harbourfront Centre this upcoming weekend.

If you, like me, are a fan of crime and mystery, you can put on your detective hats to explore over 40 events all weekend long and meet some of the best crime and mystery writers from Canada and around the world.

Artist Spotlight, Arts & Culture, Books, Interviews, Photography

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In Print: ‘Finding American: Stories of Immigration from the 50 States’ by Colin Boyd Shafer

October 20, 2023

Colin Boyd Shafer is a Canadian documentary photographer and social sciences educator. I came to know Colin and his work through his previous projects, INTERLOVE which tells interfaith love stories in Ontario, and Cosmopolis Toronto, a project that features someone from every country of the world who now calls Toronto home.

His latest project, the hardcover book Finding American: Stories of Immigration from the 50 States has just been released by Figure 1 Publishing Inc.

Books, Literature

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TIFA 2023: Unleash your inner super hero at TIFA KIDS

September 27, 2023

The Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) continues at Harbourfront Centre this week. This year’s Festival invites children and youth of all ages to TIFA Kids, with a vibrant programme the entire family can enjoy for free!

Here I highlight a couple of events along with the authors and artists bringing us superheroes, graphic novels, whimsical adventures and spooky stories. At TIFA Kids you can also enjoy arts & crafts, sing-alongs and baking activities. There are plenty of fun activities for all age groups.

Books, Interviews, Literature

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TIFA 2023: Author & Physician Vincent Lam

September 21, 2023

From September 21 to October 1, the Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) will welcome story creators from over 20 countries and across the GTA to engage, excite and entertain audiences of book lovers of all groups.

TIFA provides us a chance to hear from and meet some of our favourite authors. One of my faves happens to be Vincent Lam, who will be part of three events at the festival.

Arts & Culture, Books, Interviews, Literature

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Hye’s Picks: MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival 2023

May 28, 2023

The Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) has announced the guest lineup and programming for the second annual MOTIVE, Canada’s largest crime and mystery writing festival. Bibliophiles can come together to enjoy over 40 in-person events at Harbourfront Centre and three free virtual offerings.

Books, Literature

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Yuletide Terror: Christmas Horror on Film and Television

December 10, 2017

For many, Christmas is an annual celebration of goodwill and joy. For others, like yours truly, it’s a time to curl up on the couch in the dead of winter for a good old fashioned fright. Yuletide Terror: Christmas Horror on Film and Television, the latest book by Canadian micro-publisher Spectacular Optical, offers an in-depth exploration of the history of these subversive film and television presentations that allow viewers to engage in different ways with the complicated cultural history of the Christmas season. Indeed, for many who want to learn more about how to watch these, said films are the hallmark of the season itself.