By Nithyashree Sirsabesan, Member of Trinity Reads Student Leadership – Social Media Coordinator
Trinity Reads, Trinity College’s official book club, has returned with a new star-studded shortlist and another ambitious year of literary programming. An initiative spearheaded by Trinity College’s Director of Literary Programming, Leanne Toshiko Simpson, the 2026-2027 Trinity Reads shortlist includes four titles that open a conversation about how we measure education and wellness, and how the ways we learn shape the ways we feel: A Minor Chorus by Billy-Ray Belcourt; Is This a Cry for Help? by Emily Austin; Black Boys Like Me by Matthew R. Morris; and The Story of Your Life by Kathryn Jezer-Morton. Having been involved in the process of narrowing down this short-list myself, I feel certain these books will ignite a passion within readers as they immerse themselves in a world outside the pressures of being a University of Toronto student.
Trinity Reads kicked off this year’s programming by bringing back their beloved event, the Trinity Reads Reading Party. As I followed the sounds of live music to the Trinity Quad, I was greeted with a copy of Black Boys Like Me, the cutest Trinity merch and the perfect summer day. The skies were clear and the tables filled with bookish crafts: journal collaging with the John W. Graham Library, pressed flower bookmark making, and a book embossing station complete with mason jars to leave and grab anonymous book recommendations. To put it simply, this event was a compilation of any book lover’s dream brought to life for a singular day.
The following week, in collaboration with the Indigenous Literatures Lab, Trinity Reads co-hosted shortlist author Dr. Billy-Ray Belcourt and acclaimed scholar Dr. Daniel Heath Justice to discuss wellness as it can be understood in the context of colonial violence and intergenerational healing. The conversation was moderated by Dr. Jennifer Brant and Miyopin Cheechoo, and it was very special to have such a significant conversation take place in the Pavilion in the new Lawson Centre for Sustainability. It was exciting to see a building that honours our responsibilities to the land hold space for Indigenous-led conversations on sovereignty and storytelling.
Trinity Reads’ Rooftop Garden Social held at the George and Martha Butterfield Rooftop Farm at the Lawson Centre for Sustainability was an intimate event for students wanting to get involved with our leadership team. As I opened the door to the rooftop, I was hit by a crisp autumn breeze and rows of garden beds amongst the backdrop of Toronto’s iconic skyline. The Integrated Sustainability Initiative team organized a round of garden bingo, giving our small group the opportunity to explore and learn about the produce, greenery and sustainable gardening practices. We grabbed a taste of the garden, enjoying some freshly cut veggies with bread and dip. Of course, our visit wouldn’t be complete without being put to work ourselves. We took wellness into our own hands by reconnecting with nature. I grabbed a straw hat and a pair of shears and we were all off to work! We helped clear the garden beds as the growing season came to an end for the remaining basil and tomato vines and cut mini marigold bouquets to bring back home.
As I’ve reflected upon my experiences with Trinity Reads this past month, what strikes me as the reason I keep coming back for more every year isn’t just the free books and cool author talks (though they are amazing benefits), but the opportunity they create to connect with our community, providing space for conversations that would not have taken place otherwise. I bonded with Trinity alumni over how difficult it is to make pressed flower bookmarks and learned about their post grad lives as we all made life changing decisions on flower placements together. I got Toronto specific book recommendations and laughed amongst new friends as we watched our bingo sheet escape the rooftop and dance in the wind. Reading has always been a social activity to me, and I get so much joy from being able to discuss, share and recommend the books I’ve grown to love. Looking towards Trinity Reads’ upcoming events – including an alumni Books & Brunch gathering with Kathryn Jezer Morton, a community kitchen book talk with Matthew R. Morris, and the second annual U of T Literary Symposium – I hope you’ll join us as we read and reflect together.
Photos provided by Trinity Reads
