What do you think?
Rate this book
Vinyl Cafe #4
Vinyl Cafe Diaries
Why is Morley skulking around with a man named Frank on the eve of her 40th birthday? What grisly secret is Stephanie hiding in her father’s picnic cooler? And exactly what is Dave doing by himself in a Halifax hotel room with a duck? In the pages of the Vinyl Cafe Diaries, humorist Stuart McLean answers these questions and reveals more strange, shocking, and above all, entertaining truths about the seemingly ordinary folk of the Vinyl Cafe.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2003
32 people are currently reading
600 people want to read
About the author
Stuart McLean
106 books268 followersLibrarian Note: There was more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
From the Vinyl Cafe web site: Stuart McLean was a best-selling author, award-winning journalist and humorist, and host of CBC Radio program The Vinyl Cafe.
Stuart began his broadcasting career making radio documentaries for CBC Radio's Sunday Morning. In 1979 he won an ACTRA award for Best Radio Documentary for his contribution to the program's coverage of the Jonestown massacre.
Following Sunday Morning, Stuart spent seven years as a regular columnist and guest host on CBC's Morningside. His book, The Morningside World of Stuart McLean, was a Canadian bestseller and a finalist in the 1990 City of Toronto Book Awards.
Stuart has also written Welcome Home: Travels in Small Town Canada, and edited the collection When We Were Young. Welcome Home was chosen by the Canadian Authors' Association as the best non-fiction book of 1993.
Stuart's books Stories from the Vinyl Cafe, Home from the Vinyl Cafe, Vinyl Cafe Unplugged, Vinyl Cafe Diaries, Dave Cooks the Turkey, Secrets from the Vinyl Cafe and Extreme Vinyl Cafe have all been Canadian bestsellers. Vinyl Cafe Diaries was awarded the Canadian Authors' Association Jubilee Award in 2004. Stuart was also a three-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour for Home from the Vinyl Cafe, Vinyl Cafe Unplugged and, most recently, Secrets from the Vinyl Cafe.
Vinyl Cafe books have also been published in the U.S., the U.K., Australia and New Zealand.
Stuart was a professor emeritus at Ryerson University in Toronto and former director of the broadcast division of the School of Journalism. In 1993 Trent University named him the first Rooke Fellow for Teaching, Writing and Research. He has also been honored by: Nipissing University (EdD(H)); University of Windsor (Lld) and Trent University (DLH). Stuart served as Honorary Colonel of the 8th Air Maintenance Squadron at 8 Wing, Trenton from 2005 to 2008.
Since 1998 Stuart has taken The Vinyl Cafe to theatres across Canada, playing in both large and small towns from St. John's, Newfoundland to Whitehorse in the Yukon.
Close to one million people listen to The Vinyl Cafe every weekend on CBC Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio and on a growing number of Public Radio stations in the United States. The program is also broadcast on an occasional basis on the BBC.
From the Vinyl Cafe web site: Stuart McLean was a best-selling author, award-winning journalist and humorist, and host of CBC Radio program The Vinyl Cafe.
Stuart began his broadcasting career making radio documentaries for CBC Radio's Sunday Morning. In 1979 he won an ACTRA award for Best Radio Documentary for his contribution to the program's coverage of the Jonestown massacre.
Following Sunday Morning, Stuart spent seven years as a regular columnist and guest host on CBC's Morningside. His book, The Morningside World of Stuart McLean, was a Canadian bestseller and a finalist in the 1990 City of Toronto Book Awards.
Stuart has also written Welcome Home: Travels in Small Town Canada, and edited the collection When We Were Young. Welcome Home was chosen by the Canadian Authors' Association as the best non-fiction book of 1993.
Stuart's books Stories from the Vinyl Cafe, Home from the Vinyl Cafe, Vinyl Cafe Unplugged, Vinyl Cafe Diaries, Dave Cooks the Turkey, Secrets from the Vinyl Cafe and Extreme Vinyl Cafe have all been Canadian bestsellers. Vinyl Cafe Diaries was awarded the Canadian Authors' Association Jubilee Award in 2004. Stuart was also a three-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour for Home from the Vinyl Cafe, Vinyl Cafe Unplugged and, most recently, Secrets from the Vinyl Cafe.
Vinyl Cafe books have also been published in the U.S., the U.K., Australia and New Zealand.
Stuart was a professor emeritus at Ryerson University in Toronto and former director of the broadcast division of the School of Journalism. In 1993 Trent University named him the first Rooke Fellow for Teaching, Writing and Research. He has also been honored by: Nipissing University (EdD(H)); University of Windsor (Lld) and Trent University (DLH). Stuart served as Honorary Colonel of the 8th Air Maintenance Squadron at 8 Wing, Trenton from 2005 to 2008.
Since 1998 Stuart has taken The Vinyl Cafe to theatres across Canada, playing in both large and small towns from St. John's, Newfoundland to Whitehorse in the Yukon.
Close to one million people listen to The Vinyl Cafe every weekend on CBC Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio and on a growing number of Public Radio stations in the United States. The program is also broadcast on an occasional basis on the BBC.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
April 29, 2025
Another good collection stories, divided into four sections for each of the family.
To start each section, there is thoughts and reflections from each of them and then four stories reflecting a part of their respective lives.
I found it difficult to choose favourites for each family member as some brought laughs, tears, reflective moments and memories.
I'm sure as my GR friends read through this book, the same sentiments will come through to you.
Recommend for Stuart McLean fans and those that like folksy tales.
To start each section, there is thoughts and reflections from each of them and then four stories reflecting a part of their respective lives.
I found it difficult to choose favourites for each family member as some brought laughs, tears, reflective moments and memories.
I'm sure as my GR friends read through this book, the same sentiments will come through to you.
Recommend for Stuart McLean fans and those that like folksy tales.
February 17, 2017
CBC radio broadcaster, Stuart McLean, a Canadian treasure, passed away yesterday. He was a master story teller, a fabulous writer and talented as a radio documentary reporter. He was mostly known for a radio series called, "The Vinyl Cafe", which has been on air for over twenty years. He performed live readings of his stories of record shop owner Dave and his wife Morley on various stages throughout Canada and on occasion in the U.S.
Stuart's radio shows were a major part of our lives and I do regret having never made it out to a live taping the few times he performed here in my hometown. "Get to him the next time"; I've vowed at least three times... Just remember folks, there is not always always a next time.
He will be missed.
Stuart's radio shows were a major part of our lives and I do regret having never made it out to a live taping the few times he performed here in my hometown. "Get to him the next time"; I've vowed at least three times... Just remember folks, there is not always always a next time.
He will be missed.
April 28, 2010
this book is really comical, especially if you've ever listened to the radio program. you can hear stuart's voice in your head as you read along, you can imagine all the dramatic pauses. you cringe when they do something so utterly embarrassing. it's great.
even if you haven't heard any of the radio programs these books really are something to read. each chapter is like a short story that depicts one day or experience the way it would be seen from a particular family member.... all of it is entertaining, especially dave as he seems to handle the most simple of problems in such dramatic ways.
it's an easy read - each chapter reads like a short story so one chapter or two can be read in one sitting. any family would be able to relate to all of the stories. i definitely recommend.
even if you haven't heard any of the radio programs these books really are something to read. each chapter is like a short story that depicts one day or experience the way it would be seen from a particular family member.... all of it is entertaining, especially dave as he seems to handle the most simple of problems in such dramatic ways.
it's an easy read - each chapter reads like a short story so one chapter or two can be read in one sitting. any family would be able to relate to all of the stories. i definitely recommend.
December 25, 2020
It’s just okay. It’s like a mid afternoon nap that was not long enough...nice to have but didn’t really do anything for me.
June 13, 2016
How come I've never run into this author before? I found the book in a used bookstore in Maple Ridge, BC, while visiting relatives. My cousin said "oh yeah, lots of his shows are on YouTube and I listen to them while painting." There was a whole stack of books. Now that I'm back home and have finished this one, I'm wishing I'd bought them all.
These are short stories about Dave, who runs a record store somewhere in eastern Canada (I'm not quite clear where but I think in Ontario), his wife Morley, and their kids Stephanie and Sam. They're funny - I had several laugh out loud moments. They're fiction, but they feel real, especially when they talk about Dave's music industry past & connections. They're a little reminiscent of the Lake Wobegon stories in A Prairie Home Companion but the people are more believable - they don't get into hilarious situations because they're quirky but because they're acting like people really act, just maybe a little more so. Like when Dave has to cover a babysitting job when Stephanie's sick, and is completely unprepared to deal with the baby's projectile vomiting, the toddler's determination to chase his parents' car down the street, and the older kid's locking him out of the house because he isn't Stephanie.
I'm not doing this book justice. I'm glad to have discovered it, even though I feel I'm coming very late to the party.
These are short stories about Dave, who runs a record store somewhere in eastern Canada (I'm not quite clear where but I think in Ontario), his wife Morley, and their kids Stephanie and Sam. They're funny - I had several laugh out loud moments. They're fiction, but they feel real, especially when they talk about Dave's music industry past & connections. They're a little reminiscent of the Lake Wobegon stories in A Prairie Home Companion but the people are more believable - they don't get into hilarious situations because they're quirky but because they're acting like people really act, just maybe a little more so. Like when Dave has to cover a babysitting job when Stephanie's sick, and is completely unprepared to deal with the baby's projectile vomiting, the toddler's determination to chase his parents' car down the street, and the older kid's locking him out of the house because he isn't Stephanie.
I'm not doing this book justice. I'm glad to have discovered it, even though I feel I'm coming very late to the party.
October 13, 2017
Favourite chapter: Birthday Present
April 7, 2025
And that wraps up the Stuart McLean Vinyl Cafe Collection my mom gifted me all those years back to try to get me into reading. I totally get why she got them for me. For one, she heard the stories on CBC radio read by Stuart McLean himself and thought they were funny and wanted to share them. But two, she definitely thought the short form stories would've been an easy read for me. And they were, it just took me many years to get into them. But that's been the story of my life; I'm always late to everything.
Out of the 3 of 4 that I ranked 4 stars, this one would be last because it felt kind of like the first one with the stories all over the place. I liked the organization of the second the best since it had a timeline with the seasons, but the third had the best stories.
This one was organized by the four characters in the family, but some of stories just ended up being about Dave anyways. The best short came from the Stephanie group though, Christmas on the Road.
I enjoyed reading the afteword from Stuart McLean, explaining how the stories came from adding/subtracting or embelleshing his own experiences, his friends' experiences, things he's heard as all good storytellers do. Eventually, he began making up stories specifically for the four characters when they became their own people in McLean's head. But knowing some of the wild stories that take place are sort of based on real stories, even if exaggerated for humour, is crazy to me. We're all embarrassing goofballs stumbling through life, together. And Stuart McLean certainly was a goofball, who will be missed. But I'm glad his stories made my mom laugh, and inspired her to get me this collection. I definitely should've read it when she got it for me.
Out of the 3 of 4 that I ranked 4 stars, this one would be last because it felt kind of like the first one with the stories all over the place. I liked the organization of the second the best since it had a timeline with the seasons, but the third had the best stories.
This one was organized by the four characters in the family, but some of stories just ended up being about Dave anyways. The best short came from the Stephanie group though, Christmas on the Road.
I enjoyed reading the afteword from Stuart McLean, explaining how the stories came from adding/subtracting or embelleshing his own experiences, his friends' experiences, things he's heard as all good storytellers do. Eventually, he began making up stories specifically for the four characters when they became their own people in McLean's head. But knowing some of the wild stories that take place are sort of based on real stories, even if exaggerated for humour, is crazy to me. We're all embarrassing goofballs stumbling through life, together. And Stuart McLean certainly was a goofball, who will be missed. But I'm glad his stories made my mom laugh, and inspired her to get me this collection. I definitely should've read it when she got it for me.
February 28, 2019
Stuart Mclean was a master storyteller. What began as a small idea for a show morphed into one of my favorites families to read about/hear about.
The stories are so easy to fall into. My husband made me aware of Stuart Mclean probably over a decade ago now. We used to listen to the weekly podcast.
When I was living in New Brunswick, before I moved to Canada permanently, we actually went to see Stuart Mclean live. And it was such a fantastic show. I'm so very glad we got the opportunity to see him live, especially since he's gone, now. It seems he was more popular on the East Coast, since I remember talking about going to his show the day he passed away, and only one of my co-workers had heard of him, and that was because she had lived in Cape Breton, at one point.
The stories are the everyday adventures of a family, as their two children, Sam and Stephanie, get older. There's a good mix of stories, as this book is broken down into 4 parts. The stories are told from each character's perspective, Dave, Morley, Sam and Stephanie.
The antics are fun, the lessons are valuable, and the easiness of the family makes you jealous. Having grown so attached to the characters via the radio show, I could easily hear Stuart's voice in my head as I was reading these, which made it easy to gobble up. There were no stories that made me cry in this collection, which is why I didn't give it 5 stars, but still a beautiful, wonderful read.
The stories are so easy to fall into. My husband made me aware of Stuart Mclean probably over a decade ago now. We used to listen to the weekly podcast.
When I was living in New Brunswick, before I moved to Canada permanently, we actually went to see Stuart Mclean live. And it was such a fantastic show. I'm so very glad we got the opportunity to see him live, especially since he's gone, now. It seems he was more popular on the East Coast, since I remember talking about going to his show the day he passed away, and only one of my co-workers had heard of him, and that was because she had lived in Cape Breton, at one point.
The stories are the everyday adventures of a family, as their two children, Sam and Stephanie, get older. There's a good mix of stories, as this book is broken down into 4 parts. The stories are told from each character's perspective, Dave, Morley, Sam and Stephanie.
The antics are fun, the lessons are valuable, and the easiness of the family makes you jealous. Having grown so attached to the characters via the radio show, I could easily hear Stuart's voice in my head as I was reading these, which made it easy to gobble up. There were no stories that made me cry in this collection, which is why I didn't give it 5 stars, but still a beautiful, wonderful read.
July 11, 2018
I love these books so much!!
August 14, 2019
I really love these! The events are so hilariously inconvenient and relatable. My family is really starting to get freaked out by my seemingly random laughing fits.
January 25, 2022
Hilarious book!
June 30, 2024
I had so much fun reading this book! I only got this book because the cover intrigued me and I’m glad it did!
October 17, 2022
This is the fourth volume in Mclean’s Vinyl Café stories about Dave, the lovable owner of the second-hand record store called the Vinyl café. Dave is error prone, always getting into scrapes of some kind and constantly embarrassing himself. Morley is his patient and understanding wife, who is smart and kind but always says what she thinks. The couple’s two children Sam and Stephanie round out this typical, cozy modern-day family.
Unlike some earlier volumes, this edition focuses solely on the family itself with a section devoted to each member. So readers looking to hear about some of their friends and neighbours from past books may be disappointed.
McLean’s narratives always stay away from the darker aspects of life, choosing to focus more on ordinary family life with its often humourous interactions between family members and the fraught-like transitions familiar to everyone. Such are the stories in this volume, which include accounts of Dave’s hard-fought battle to stop smoking by walking through small Ontario towns and another piece during which he thinks about the death of a dear friend and ponders his own mortality. There is a humourous story about Morley’s concerns for the party Dave is planning to celebrate her fortieth birthday and another which describes Stephanie’s difficult adjustment to university life.
McLean’s writing is always plain spoken, clear and although often thoughtful and poignant, is never sentimental. At its core, each piece has embedded within it a sense of the Canadian spirit that celebrates kindness, a desire for people to work together and a belief in the goodness of others.
One cannot help but enjoy this volume which, like many others in the Vinyl Café collection is filled with the tales McLean so humorously recorded either on CBC radio or during his speaking tours to small towns and out of the way communities across Canada. Although they always make for delightful, fun reading, what is missing in these books is his voice, his folksy way of telling a story, pausing before certain lines and making each of them come to life. It was his signature style as well as the content of his stories that drew his loyal audiences across the country.
His books always sell well and audiences endured lone line ups for tickets to his to experience his live shows. Critics have also recognized and applauded his work, and this particular volume won The Canadian Author’s Association Jubilee Award in 2004.
Unlike some earlier volumes, this edition focuses solely on the family itself with a section devoted to each member. So readers looking to hear about some of their friends and neighbours from past books may be disappointed.
McLean’s narratives always stay away from the darker aspects of life, choosing to focus more on ordinary family life with its often humourous interactions between family members and the fraught-like transitions familiar to everyone. Such are the stories in this volume, which include accounts of Dave’s hard-fought battle to stop smoking by walking through small Ontario towns and another piece during which he thinks about the death of a dear friend and ponders his own mortality. There is a humourous story about Morley’s concerns for the party Dave is planning to celebrate her fortieth birthday and another which describes Stephanie’s difficult adjustment to university life.
McLean’s writing is always plain spoken, clear and although often thoughtful and poignant, is never sentimental. At its core, each piece has embedded within it a sense of the Canadian spirit that celebrates kindness, a desire for people to work together and a belief in the goodness of others.
One cannot help but enjoy this volume which, like many others in the Vinyl Café collection is filled with the tales McLean so humorously recorded either on CBC radio or during his speaking tours to small towns and out of the way communities across Canada. Although they always make for delightful, fun reading, what is missing in these books is his voice, his folksy way of telling a story, pausing before certain lines and making each of them come to life. It was his signature style as well as the content of his stories that drew his loyal audiences across the country.
His books always sell well and audiences endured lone line ups for tickets to his to experience his live shows. Critics have also recognized and applauded his work, and this particular volume won The Canadian Author’s Association Jubilee Award in 2004.
April 23, 2017
Rating - 8.2
The more I read about Dave and the gang the more I appreciate their lives - very refreshing that the book never tries to be more than what it is - I find them to be a great bathtub read
A little more morbid than the others, but the everyday events that surround the family are full of smiles, chuckles, and full laughs - thumbs up - the references to death a bit disturbing though
Top Stories
Dave and the Duck
Labor Pains
Rashida, Amir, and the Great Gift Giving
Field Trip
The more I read about Dave and the gang the more I appreciate their lives - very refreshing that the book never tries to be more than what it is - I find them to be a great bathtub read
A little more morbid than the others, but the everyday events that surround the family are full of smiles, chuckles, and full laughs - thumbs up - the references to death a bit disturbing though
Top Stories
Dave and the Duck
Labor Pains
Rashida, Amir, and the Great Gift Giving
Field Trip
July 9, 2010
Laughing so hard, neighbours must think I have a screw loose. Americans, get this book. True Canadian humour. Seem like an oxymoron? Think of Jim Carey, Dan Akroyd, Rick Moranis, Bill Murray, William Shatner, Samantha Bee, Michael J Fox, Mike Myers, Leslie Nielson, Martin Short, Lorne Michaels. Get the idea?
December 20, 2025
A good mix of funny and heartfelt stories about family life, growing up, and "normal" daily occurences. I found this to be a very enjoyable read (despite not reading the series in order).
February 16, 2020
Recently at my parents house I happened across a high school text book filled with short stories. In it I found the writings of Isaac Asimov, Ernest Hemingway and William Blake just to name a few. Immediately I asked myself why we didn't read and discuss these in Literature class? Seems to me that the most inane, bland, writings were chosen. However I digress, we'll have to discuss the frailties of the school system another day. Having said that one writer I did enjoy who found their way into the school curriculum was Stephen Leacock from Orillia, Ontario. His blend of humour and Canadiana was a breath of fresh air in an otherwise milquetoast English program. Fast forward a decade or two and a malfunctioning CD player in my car has allowed me to stumble onto CBC Radio. Compared to the tired, almost criminally overplayed playlist of local radio CBC was a breath of fresh air. One of the programming standouts were the stories of Stuart McLean and the Vinyl Cafe. Often times I had arrived at my destination and wouldn't leave the car until I finished hearing the exploits of Dave, Morley and family. To have it here in book form is pure serendipity. Regardless of your preferred genre this collection has something for everyone. An absolute pleasure to turn the page.
October 13, 2020
What an absolutely lovely collection of short stories. This is the fourth of the set featuring stories of Dave, Morley, and the family. Like expressed in the previous three reviews, the stories are a wonderful combination of heartwarming, endearing, revealing of things you've felt too, and oh so easy to read in McLean's voice, wishing he was still around gracing the CBC airwaves.
This book straddles the 4-5 star line for me. The stories are absolutely 5 stars, including Dave and his duck and the Christmas adventure.
The organizational scheme doesn't really do it, though. The idea of grouping by main character rather than just telling them in random or sequential order doesn't make the book any better. But, the real shortcoming is in the introductory pages, supposedly 'written' by each of the characters. These are entirely silly and should just be skipped. Get to McLean's storytelling and everything is wonderful.
What a national treasure. The stories are entirely outlandish yet eminently relatable, pulling you into a world that you just wish could suck you up from the chaos of the real one.
This book straddles the 4-5 star line for me. The stories are absolutely 5 stars, including Dave and his duck and the Christmas adventure.
The organizational scheme doesn't really do it, though. The idea of grouping by main character rather than just telling them in random or sequential order doesn't make the book any better. But, the real shortcoming is in the introductory pages, supposedly 'written' by each of the characters. These are entirely silly and should just be skipped. Get to McLean's storytelling and everything is wonderful.
What a national treasure. The stories are entirely outlandish yet eminently relatable, pulling you into a world that you just wish could suck you up from the chaos of the real one.
March 2, 2017
I lament that I only found this book shortly before hearing about McLean's passing, and thus I never had the opportunity to hear him perform this show live on CBC Radio.
The subject matter of the book piqued my interest, and I had a number of laughs reading about Dave and Morley, even if I didn't fully understand the stories as a whole (as this set of stories is the fourth in a series of works covering the show). Even then, the stories read like a Canadian version of Curb Your Enthusiasm - the couple gets into so many weird and unpredictable situations and the comedy is so deadpan that it becomes hilarious.
There's also a couple of interesting chapters talking about the genesis behind the show's creation and the significance behind some of the character names, which were an interesting behind-the-scenes addition.
Vinyl Cafe Diaries is a great primer for people who are looking to get into the show and enjoy Canadian humor. It's just a shame that there won't be any more Dave and Morley stories from McLean - he will be missed.
The subject matter of the book piqued my interest, and I had a number of laughs reading about Dave and Morley, even if I didn't fully understand the stories as a whole (as this set of stories is the fourth in a series of works covering the show). Even then, the stories read like a Canadian version of Curb Your Enthusiasm - the couple gets into so many weird and unpredictable situations and the comedy is so deadpan that it becomes hilarious.
There's also a couple of interesting chapters talking about the genesis behind the show's creation and the significance behind some of the character names, which were an interesting behind-the-scenes addition.
Vinyl Cafe Diaries is a great primer for people who are looking to get into the show and enjoy Canadian humor. It's just a shame that there won't be any more Dave and Morley stories from McLean - he will be missed.
December 21, 2018
I discovered Vinyl Cafe and Stuart Maclean only in the last few years on CBC radio. His storytelling is wonderful and some of the stories of Dave and Morley left me in stitches. I was saddened to hear of Maclean's death earlier this year, and equally saddened to hear of his request that his shows not be played in reruns on the CBC so that new voices could have a place to be heard. I admire the sentiment, but it means a new generation will not hear these wonderful stories unless they purchase CDs or find them online. But back to the book ... It was amazing! Sometimes stories first told orally don't translate onto the written page, but I think because these stories were told from the written page and not improvised a la standup, they work as a book. I'm looking forward to tracking down other books in the series. Gotta make up for lost time in discovering this too late. Highly recommend this and any of the Vinyl Cafe series.
March 25, 2023
I arrived fashionably tardy to the humour of the late great Stuart McLean. His storytelling is second to none. Each chapter left tears running down my cheeks, laughing at one thing or another. His stories are infinitely relatable and the Afterword will explain some of his process. If you want to get a true sense of the voice of this man, seek out the podcast called Backstage at the Vinyl Café. It is hosted by his former producer and features two stories per episode, recorded at shows from coast to coast to coast. Some of the stories in this book have been aired. His tone and his delivery are excellent. And his voice will pop up in your head while you read his books. Truly a great Canadian read.
June 8, 2022
Once again Stuart McLean (with the help of Dave and Morley's family) brought again the laughter that I was looking for when I picked up this read. "A Night to Remember," is still one of my favourites and reading it again was just as enjoyable as the last time I heard it. Maybe even more so thinking of the audio version I heard and using it to supplement the text. This collection is memorable as it is split into sections with the family member characters writing for themselves at the start of each one. The afterword by Stuart at the end sews up the conclusion very well. I will gladly read this collection again. I highly recommend.
May 10, 2019
4* This collection of Dave-and-Morley stories was full of the best kind of wacky humor. I enjoyed the book immensely! We get to peek into the lives of Sam and Stephanie (Dave's kids) a little more in this book. I enjoyed the author implicating himself in a few of the incidents, while denying any connection to others ;)
April 20, 2020
As usual when reading Vinyl Cafe stories, many audible laughs with this one.
My favourite parts are all one-liners, so unfortunately you are missing the context. If you want to find out what's so funny, you can always--go read the book!
There was a deficit of caterers. (p. 107)
''It is very European,'' he said one night. ''It's like having a goat down there.'' (p. 121)
My favourite parts are all one-liners, so unfortunately you are missing the context. If you want to find out what's so funny, you can always--go read the book!
There was a deficit of caterers. (p. 107)
''It is very European,'' he said one night. ''It's like having a goat down there.'' (p. 121)
February 23, 2021
I love the radio program but somehow I never clued in that all of the stories are about Dave and Morley. McLean is a wonderful storyteller and this comes across in his writings as well as in his oral work. The characters are realistic, the situations believable, the stories funny. There are several books in this series but the oral programs are more enjoyable.
June 10, 2025
I’d give 2.5 if I could. The writing is objectively good & some of the stories were entertaining, a couple were even laugh out loud funny but just over halfway through I found it to be tedious & not that engaging anymore. Towards the end I just wanted it to be over as I had no investment in the characters lives.
March 15, 2017
I love Stuart McLean's books. I listened to the Vinyl Cafe on CBC Radio every Sunday on my drive home from church. When I read his books, I hear Stuart's voice and it's as if he is speaking. Now that he is gone, his books will become dearer to me. R.I.P. Stuart.
March 8, 2022
These stories are great. As I was reading, I could hear Stuart McLean’s voice in my head. Wholesome, funny, sweet - I really enjoyed them. The audio experience is better, but the books are a really nice addition, especially now that he passed away.
May 23, 2022
Fun stories written from The vinyl cafe, a popular radio program on CBC for many years. The stories are full of irony and insight into human quirkiness, great for winding down at the end of the day or relaxing on a day off.
June 20, 2022
I liked the first McLean book I read more. this one is still entertaining and follows a mundane family through events of their lives. I enjoy that it mostly revolves around feelings we can all relate to and is something to find comfort in.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews