Last summer, we shared some of our favourite activities, books and music. The stuff that keeps us occupied in the “off hours” when we’re not hard at work; and a little insight into the wealth of life beyond the home office. Read on for our picks for the Summer of 2021, and we hope you’ll share yours with us as well. We’d also hope you’d join us in welcoming Marc Purcell and Olivia Festa to our team, who joined us earlier this year. Welcome Marc and Olivia!

 

Our Summer 2021 Reading List

 

Marc

I am more a magazine and newspaper than a book person. That said, I am a student of U.S. presidential history so my book shelves are lined with Bob Woodward books going back to Clinton administration. On weekends, you can often find me relaxing in the hammock in my backyard, with a stack of my favourite four magazines within arm’s reach, ready to be read cover to cover: Vanity Fair, the New Yorker, Esquire and the National Review. https://www.vanityfair.com/

 

Olivia

Having had just recently graduated from Ryerson University this past June, I am ready to put my textbooks away. That said, one of my favourite books is F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, “The Great Gatsby,” which I recently started to re-read. This classic delves into the life of Jay Gatsby and his quest for his version of the American Dream. While it was written almost a century ago there are many echoes to the “Roaring 20s” in this day and age. While this novel tackles many themes, my biggest takeaway is that things don’t always turn out how we expect them to. The light from Daisy’s dock didn’t shine as bright the closer that Gatsby got to it. https://www.amazon.ca/Great-Gatsby-F-Scott-Fitzgerald

 

Emily

I’m currently reading “Greenlights” by Matthew McConaughey, which is a memoir of his life as he recounts the 35 years he's written down in his diaries. Surprising truths about his upbringing in Texas, his acting career from rom coms to Oscar winner, his sabbatical, his naked arrest...and ultimately finding his true meaning: becoming a father. Inspiring readers to "catch greenlights" in life, and how seemingly red, and yellow lights eventually become green ones too. https://www.amazon.ca/Greenlights-Matthew-McConaughey

 

Since I’m a professional multi-tasker I’m also re-visiting “Atomic Habits” by James Clear as I embarked on getting my remaining financial license courses completed. The author offers practical tips on how to improve your life by making incremental (atomic) changes that compound over time to achieve incredible results. The key is try to put systems in place to help you improve by 1% each day, and to stay consistent. If you're having trouble creating good habits or getting rid of bad ones, the problem may not be you. https://www.amazon.ca/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break

 

Pete

I recently plowed through “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig. Couldn’t put it down. As George R.R. Martin (of Game of Thrones fame) once quipped: “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” This novel is a rumination on this theme, though in the end, a celebration of the ordinary, the mundane. While the message and writing style can come across as being overly straightforward, in a year where we’ve had to forego so many experiences and revel in our daily routines, it really hit home for me. https://www.amazon.ca/Midnight-Library-Novel-Matt-Haig

 

John

I’m re-reading John Le Carre’s "Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor Spy". Le Carre was the best spy novelist ever, and I remember loving the novel, so I’m at it again! It has not disappointed. https://www.amazon.ca/Tinker-Tailor-Soldier-John-Carre

 

Our Summer 2021 Playlist

 

Emily

Now that WFH is coming to an end, the daily commutes begin again. This means I can now catch up on my favourite Podcasts and Audiobooks collecting virtual dust in my e-library. Some of the ones I've found inspiring as of late: Super Soul Conversations by Oprah Winfrey, and The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu. https://open.spotify.com/show/0nMF1JL5tNJW7B0teIFWxV

 

Marc

Whether it is cooking, cleaning or just walking home I have the “Get Soca 2021” playlist on repeat. In February 2020, just before the pandemic shut the world down, I was in Trinidad for Carnival for some long overdue R&R. The music, the food and beverages were unforgettable. The music of that year brought back so many great memories. In 2021, there was no Carnival but the music on this album instantly brings me right back to those amazing moments. https://open.spotify.com/album/3SBrXQv1xJZQs6Ac3O73ZR

 

Pete

We’ve done a lot of driving this past year, and when we have a long drive in front of us, you can almost guarantee that an episode of the “Smartless” podcast will be on our playlist. Smartless is hosted by Sean Hayes (Will & Grace), Will Arnett (Arrested Development) and Jason Bateman (the same). While the premise of the show is that one of the hosts surprises the other with a guest of their choosing designed to make them all “smarter,” the secret sauce is in the three hosts mercilessly making fun of one another for their hosting skills (or lack thereof). While not 100% G-rated, it is 100% hilarious. And clearly these gents have a strong Rolodex, as the guest list is off the charts. Brendan Shanahan was my personal fave – not someone I would have anticipated to be as funny, insightful or down to earth as he came across on this podcast. But you pick – Tina Fey, LeBron James, Ryan Reynolds, George Clooney, Gwyneth Paltrow – there is literally something for everyone here. https://open.spotify.com/show/0Yzd0g8NYmn27k2HFNplv7

 

Our Summer 2021 Activity List

 

Marc

I'm currently working my way through the “Small Axe” series on Amazon. This is a collection of five movies by Steve McQueen telling the stories of the second generation West Indian migrants from the 1960s to 1980s. They were the children of the Windrush generation who went to England to help rebuild the country after the Second World War. Windrush was the name of the ship that took them from the Caribbean to England. My dad would tell me stories of the Windrush sailing away in the distance with the band playing in the background and relatives on shore with tears in their eyes knowing this would be the last time they would see the family members for a long time. 
https://www.primevideo.com/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.12bb00ea-fc7b-b799-edd3-458709155c8d?ref_=dvm_pds_tit_ca_dc_s_g_mkw_mkw_s-dc_pcrid_511619415273&mrntrk=slid__pgrid_128886775868_pgeo_1002645_x_167714319920_ptid_dsa-951436598522

 

Olivia

While I’m no stranger to burning toast in the morning, I’m sure I could go head to head with Gordon Ramsay at Hell’s Kitchen. Cooking has always been one of my favorite past-times. Having more free time over the past year has given me the opportunity to get more adventurous and creative in the kitchen. My personal faves these day are lasagna and penne a la vodka. I add a bit of spice to both for a little extra kick! https://gordon-ramsay-recipe.com/tag/gordon-ramsey-vodka-sauce

 

Pete

As many of you know, our family moved to the Beaches last summer (which was recently abbreviated to “the Beach” for car sticker purposes). It was the right fit for us: we already had the Subaru, the Blundstones, the Doodle. Check, check, check. What we didn’t know was how much we’d actually enjoy the Beach itself. Our morning ritual has quickly turned into waking early, grabbing a coffee and walking down to the dog park on the beach. It doesn’t matter if we’re facing the cold winds of February or the simmering heat of July, there’s something about staring off across the lake towards the sun rising on the horizon that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face as you greet the day. Try it sometime, you won’t be disappointed.

 

John

One of my favourite summer pastimes is taking in a baseball game. Right now, the only time the TV comes on is to watch the Blue Jays. It’s a real pleasure to see a group of young players having fun, and hitting their stride. https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/schedule

 

Emily

Visiting Museums, Splash Pads, Zoos, Beaches and Farms! Places are finally open and my toddlers and I have been spending almost every weekend this summer exploring what our amazing city has to offer (oh how we've taken them for granted in the past).