building support for South Asian and diasporic writing

DESILIT-GREATER TORONTO

For all things literary and South Asian.

As one of the chapters of DesiLit.org, DesiLit-Greater Toronto currently exists as a loose network of individuals who are interested in South Asian inspired writing. Through various initiatives, such as our book clubs, book events and listserv, we support writers and readers of South Asian literature.

The listserv is our primary vehicle for communicating with one another -- its purpose is to create a forum for sharing opinions about writings and publications, announcing literary events, broadcasting calls for literary submissions, as well as providing a supportive network for writers and literary lovers. To subscribe to our listserv, please send an email to desilit-toronto-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

In 2006, we initiated the DesiLit Toronto Book Club - a club that meets monthly to discuss South Asian inspired books. As a result of growing interest from members residing in the suburbs of the city, we introduced the DesiLit West End Book Club in 2007 and the DesiLit North End Book Club in 2008. Reviews of books discussed can be found on the listserv and on MyBindi.com, who proudly supports DesiLit in its various initiatives.

The Toronto Book Club meets at the Starbucks in Chapters at John & Richmond; the West End Book Club meets at 5390 Terry Fox Way, Unit #6 in Mississauga; and the North End Book Club meets at the Chapters at Hwy.7 & Yonge in Richmond Hill. All clubs meet on the first Wednesday of the month at 7pm.

In 2008, DesiLit Greater Toronto proudly initiated a writers' group. For more information about where and when this group meets and how it works, please contact the facilitator, Janice Goveas at jmgoveas@rogers.com.

We also organize various events including book launches and literary festivals. To see pictures from past events, click here.

Whatever genre of writing you engage in or enjoy, we hope you'll join us for some interesting conversations and information sharing.

For information about DesiLit-Greater Toronto, please contact Zenia at zwadhwani@yahoo.ca.


2008 Book Club Reading List

JanuaryNo meeting
FebruaryThe Feast of Roses by Indu Sundaresan
MarchStealing Nasreen by Farzana Doctor
AprilA Golden Age by Tahmima Anam
MayA Pakastani Bride by Bapsi Sidhwa
JuneHouse of Blue Mangoes by David Davidar
JulyNo meeting
AugustNo meeting
SeptemberTBD
OctoberTBD
NovemberTBD
DecemberTBD

2007 Book Club Reading List

JanuaryFamily Matters by Rohinton Mistry
FebruaryBaby Khaki's Wings by Anar Ali
MarchHeaven's Edge by Romesh Gunesekera
AprilFasting, Feasting by Anita Desai
MayCereus Blooms at Night by Shani Mootoo
JuneThe In-Between World of Vikram Lal by MG Vassanji
JulyEnglish Lessons by Shauna Singh Baldwin
AugustThe God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
SeptemberCan you Hear the Nightbird Call? by Anita Rau Badami
OctoberInheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai
NovemberThe Hungry Tide by Amitav Ghosh
DecemberMaximum City: Bombay Lost and Found by Suketu Mehta

2006 Book Club Reading List

JuneMidnight's Children by Salman Rushdie
JulyThe Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
AugustA House for Mr. Biswas by V.S. Naipaul
SeptemberMistress of Spices by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
OctoberThe Buddha of Suburbia by Hanif Kureishi
NovemberCinnamon Gardens by Shyam Selvadurai
DecemberBodies in Motion by Mary Anne Mohanraj

Articles and Events

  • Masala! Mehndi! Masti! Festival (July 2007)

  • Toronto Star article on DesiLit (December 16, 2006)

  • Gautam Malkani's Book Launch in Toronto (October 24, 2006)
  • [info@desilit.org]