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Vinyl Cafe Turns the Page
A brand new collection of Vinyl Cafe stories, from the inimitable Stuart McLean, featuring a worldlier and wiser Dave and Morley
Dave and Morley are growing older, Steph and Sam are growing up. Moving out and moving on.
Dave and Morley's marriage has mellowed and deepened like a fine wine, Sam has developed a palate for girls and Gruyere, and Steph's found happiness with an artist who photographs roadkill.
Everyone's growing wiser and worldlier--well, almost everyone.
Yes, Dave still has trouble with the automatic car wash, defibrillators, and hot yoga, but he's come to appreciate Mary Turlington, and that's saying quite a bit.
In this brand new collection of Vinyl Cafe stories, the more things change, the more things stay the same...
Dave and Morley are growing older, Steph and Sam are growing up. Moving out and moving on.
Dave and Morley's marriage has mellowed and deepened like a fine wine, Sam has developed a palate for girls and Gruyere, and Steph's found happiness with an artist who photographs roadkill.
Everyone's growing wiser and worldlier--well, almost everyone.
Yes, Dave still has trouble with the automatic car wash, defibrillators, and hot yoga, but he's come to appreciate Mary Turlington, and that's saying quite a bit.
In this brand new collection of Vinyl Cafe stories, the more things change, the more things stay the same...
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 2015
33 people are currently reading
363 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
December 25, 2015
novel equivalent of a hot cup of cocoa <3
October 21, 2015
Even if only one story made me laugh until I cried, this book will still get 5 stars. Full of wisdom, laughter, and hints of Nova Scotia, this is another lovely book from the wonderful Stuart McLean.
January 23, 2016
What a cute novel! Cute might be the wrong word, but it's the one that keeps coming to mind. Full of wisdom, thoughtfulness, and hilarity, this collection of short stories is a pleasure to read.
This was my first introduction to Stuart McLean, I'd never heard his radio show or read any of his other books, but I must say I will be looking for more from him from now on!
I was worried that I would need to know about something about the previous stories, or I would miss inside jokes when references are made to old characters, or something like that. But it wasn't a problem at all. In fact, you could probably read every single short story within the novel out of order and still understand everything. The novel centralizes around a family, Dave, Morley, Sam, and Stephanie, all of whom really come to life in such an endearing, funny way that I found myself thoroughly enjoying the simple little stories of their life, no big explosions or action needed to divert attention away from a lacking plot.
It opens with a chapter about Morley, Stephanie and Sam's mother, feeling like some of her family has outgrown her. It was such a heartbreaking chapter, and if the whole novel continued from there I would probably have been reduced to tears in a shorter time than I care to admit. But even the end of that chapter had such a sweet, sweet ending, it made me so happy and that's when I knew I was in for a good ride.
I really felt like I connected with Stephanie, although she didn't get much page time. In the chapter where her experience with statistics class was described, it felt exactly like when I had taken calculus, and I loved that she struggled sometimes with waitressing. I've done it before and it is NOT easy!
He brother, Sam, too was adorable. He's right around the same age as my little brother and his chapters were so funny! His chapters all had such an endearing tone that felt so hopeful for the future, it just makes your insides melt.
Overall the writing was very simple and easy to breeze through. Very enjoyable and made it feel like a nice summer read despite the fact that it was -30 outside when I was reading it. I really liked how it wasn't over-written at all. There were no long, winding passages of description that dragged. Only enough to get your imagination going to fill the rest. This definitely helped move the pace along quickly and keep things in motion, and was part of what made it great, easy read.
Definitely would recommend, actually have already recommended it to both my mom and my boyfriend. Anyone who's looking for a little light, fun read would enjoy this!
This was my first introduction to Stuart McLean, I'd never heard his radio show or read any of his other books, but I must say I will be looking for more from him from now on!
I was worried that I would need to know about something about the previous stories, or I would miss inside jokes when references are made to old characters, or something like that. But it wasn't a problem at all. In fact, you could probably read every single short story within the novel out of order and still understand everything. The novel centralizes around a family, Dave, Morley, Sam, and Stephanie, all of whom really come to life in such an endearing, funny way that I found myself thoroughly enjoying the simple little stories of their life, no big explosions or action needed to divert attention away from a lacking plot.
It opens with a chapter about Morley, Stephanie and Sam's mother, feeling like some of her family has outgrown her. It was such a heartbreaking chapter, and if the whole novel continued from there I would probably have been reduced to tears in a shorter time than I care to admit. But even the end of that chapter had such a sweet, sweet ending, it made me so happy and that's when I knew I was in for a good ride.
I really felt like I connected with Stephanie, although she didn't get much page time. In the chapter where her experience with statistics class was described, it felt exactly like when I had taken calculus, and I loved that she struggled sometimes with waitressing. I've done it before and it is NOT easy!
He brother, Sam, too was adorable. He's right around the same age as my little brother and his chapters were so funny! His chapters all had such an endearing tone that felt so hopeful for the future, it just makes your insides melt.
Overall the writing was very simple and easy to breeze through. Very enjoyable and made it feel like a nice summer read despite the fact that it was -30 outside when I was reading it. I really liked how it wasn't over-written at all. There were no long, winding passages of description that dragged. Only enough to get your imagination going to fill the rest. This definitely helped move the pace along quickly and keep things in motion, and was part of what made it great, easy read.
Definitely would recommend, actually have already recommended it to both my mom and my boyfriend. Anyone who's looking for a little light, fun read would enjoy this!
December 30, 2016
I have a deep love for Dave, Morley and the cast of characters in Stuart McLean's Vinyl Cafe books. I'll admit that I've listened to most as audio books, so Mr. McLean's voice and intonation add to the experience. With or without him, though, the stories are funny, sad, bittersweet, heartwarming and worth reading over and over again. I'll never hear the expression "uh oh" without thinking of Dave and his ideas. Any of the Vinyl Cafe collections are worth reading, but Vinyl Cafe Turns The Page adds maturity and insight into our relationship with this family. You'll smile, laugh and even wipe a tear from the corner of your eye as you traverse the journey held within the pages of this book. If you've never experienced the Vinyl Cafe, do it. Just one story. You won't regret it.
December 3, 2017
Oh my god, I miss Stuart McLean. Vinyl Cafe Turns the Page was so good. I’m not sure if Stuart was aware of his failing health when this book was published, but there is a different feeling to Turns the Page. It’s more heartfelt. There are some classic Dave stories (Riding the Lightning and Yoga), but there are also some truly beautiful, moving, heartfelt stories in this collection that make your heart swell. Those were the stories that got me emotional- Dave and Morley will no longer be able to stir those feelings in me anymore and for that I am so sad.
March 24, 2016
I just love these characters.
April 19, 2018
Vinyl Café Turns the Page
Stuart McLean
2015
Comments from my first reading of the book:
This book made me smile
It made me cringe
It made me laugh
And it also made me sad.
Thinking of those Saturday Mornings over the last 10 plus years that I have been listening to Stuart expose on Dave and Morley and the rest of his characters....they have become friends, neighbours and almost family.
Read the book slowly to savour and then share it.
All's well for now as received another Vinyl Cafe book for Christmas and perhaps I will open up my own cafe in 2018!
Still feel the same way after reading it again, and finishing it just before what would have been Stuart’s 70th birthday tomorrow. Never had the opportunity to buy him a beer (or a cup of tea as that was what I would typically be drinking while listening to the show…but that is OK as still have the very fond memories.
Thank you Stuart.
Notes:
Art can move and later people in subtle ways because, like love, it speaks through and to the heart. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr in a letter to Sammy Davis Jr. December 20, 1960
• Sam’s Underwear
..a small green binder with the word Recipes on the cover, written in Sam’s hand. All the pages in the binder are blank, except for the first. On it Sam wrote, “We will fill ever page.” It’s the best thing anyone has ever given her.
2. How have you been managing with one pair? ~ Morley
Improvising ~ Sam
• Riding the Lightening
16. You have to chill out ~ Doctor (to Mary Turlington)
17: …the pretty girl in the summer dress disappeared down the street and into the crowd
EN: who is this girl?
20: Bert said: Make sure that you’re not touching him anywhere.
If you’re touching the patient, you are going to get shocked too.
21: Bert was in the corner inflating a new paper bag.
• Danceland
35: It never occurred to Roy that Helen might like a job. But then it hadn’t occurred to Helen either.
36: Betty Friedman had just published The Feminine Mystique. Helen hadn’t read it. In fact she hadn’t even heard of it.
EN: 1963
44: And so they dance, on their lawn, and while they dance he hummed “I’ve Got a Pocketful of Dreams,” quietly and endearingly off-key.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTFWa...
• Boy Wanted
51: Then he said, “I used to be a barber.” This is the way he talked, seasoning his conversation with a sequence of non sequiturs.
53: After three hours they’ll look like shrunken heads. And they’ll taste like the essence of tomato ~ Mr. Harmon
54: Slowly the little store, like all little stores, became a reflection of its owner.
59: Mr. Harmon working in your grocery store is like living in a cookbook. ~ Sam
62: He wouldn’t always work in a grocery store. Mr. Harmon had no illusions about that. But the things he was teaching him – to have pride, and to take care, especially with the small things – he would remember them all. And he would remember his first coffee, and how to slow –roast tomatoes, and the secrets of pasta. A boy could carry worse things with him as he began the long journey into manhood.
• Jim And Molly
75: You befriend a hungry cat. Who wouldn’t do that? And twenty-one years later your life is totally different.
• Spring at University
90: …it is always our choice how we react. Whether we choose to keep moving, head down, steadfast, and do what has to be done, one foot in front of the other, or whether we choose to disassemble.
It wasn’t what she’d learned about statistics that mattered. It was what she had learned about herself.
• Stamps
• Harmon’s Fine Foods
94: …a café correcto -…literal translation for is grappa laced espresso is corrected coffee…
96: A magnifying glass gives a person a certain gravitas ~ Murphy
98: Mail delivery used to be collect. You paid when you got the letter, not when you sent it. So everyone wrote coded messages on their envelopes. And people would look at the envelopes, read the coded message, then refuse to pay. ~ Murphy
101: It is not good for you to get too much money too fast. Look what happened to Justin Bieber. ~ Murphy
105: There was something about paying for the stamp that made it more precious.
• Foggy Bottom Bay
Jimmy Walker, Foggy Bottom Bay, Newfoundland
114: Now. Did they learn you about the margarine war in Upper Canada? ~ Jimmy
Jimmy loved his history from the margins.
120: There was an iceberg in the harbor. It was the first time he’d seen an iceberg, and it was more beautiful than you could imagine – not only for all the huge angles of it, but for the colour – it was as much blue as white – like a sculpture from a modern museum, just floating there.
121: It came up slow and beautiful, just the way he described it. It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Or I imagine it was. It was pretty foggy so I couldn’t actually see it. But I imagine it was. ~ Dave
• The One and Only Murphy Kruger
People who work in banks are taught not to make assumptions
130: They used to teach it (cursive). But they stopped. They use if when they’re writing about us. ~ Murphy
137: She kept a bottle of grappa in her bottom desk drawer especially for these Friday meetings.
You understand we really shouldn’t be doing this ~ Manager
Don’t worry. People are always saying that to me. ~ Murphy
• Helen Moves In
149: …but those walks were small acts of defiance. Helen was asserting herself.
153: And so she went. And Morley, who had spend her life leaving her mother, for the first time had to watch her mother leave instead.
• Tank of Tranquility
155: Or the poor shopkeepers, whatever shops they keep – they all fall victims to their own goods.
157: Dave had just bought a second-hand sensory deprivation tank.
160: That, of course, was why he really bought it. We are all drawn to things that terrify us. Don’t touch? We reach out. Don’t look. We do.
164: But we all forget things. Sometimes we forget important things.
167: They had always made it clear that you should forgive your enemies. But no ever said anything about friends.
• Home Alone
172: Dave is actually okay with the idea. Dave long ago decided that being a parent means losing most of the major battles. Parenthood, he believes, is an endless war of rearguard actions, retreats, and regroupings.
183: It was clumsy. They all knew that. But new beginnings are often clumsy.
• In the Weeds
202: To Stephanie, who is not defeated by her mistakes, who never abandons her workmates, and who can stand the heat in the kitchen.
• Prince Charles
209: John Wayne once said that courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.
When did we start quoting John Wayne? ~ Morley
Since things go serious ~ Dave
211: The trick to getting rid of mice is figuring out where they’re getting in.
214: Suddenly one of their mice had a name. Prince Charles
218: It came from the law of proximity, of course. We love the things that are closest to us.
• Jim’s Summer Trip
220: Took the subway ~ Dave
EN: Are they not in a smaller town?
223: Not dogs. And not strangers, either. Worse. Far Worse. Eight year old boys. ~ Jim
230: There is one word written on the front. “Dad”
Hey Dad, it reads. That was a test
231: And they had made it the way Dave had made it over so many of the hurdles he’d cleared over the years. They had made it with the kindness of a stranger
• Sam’s First Kiss
238: What we have here is a failure to communicate ~ Murphy
241: What he wanted to do was move his hand closer. Ever so slightly closer. Would that be…harassment?
• Crushed
Ah, one always admires what one doesn’t understand. ~ the women in the beret.
258: As they walked toward the fox, he could feel his heart pounding. In a weird way, it was exhilarating.
260: I think it means that beauty trumps morality. That’s the way it is, and that’s the way it has always been. I don’t think it should be like that. But that’s the way it is. That’s the way of the world. ~ Tommy
Here’s what I think. I think there’s a collision happening between civilization and the natural world. And I think you’re the witness. ~ Dave
262: He was about to reassure her that their daughter wasn’t involved with an axe murderer. But he looked at her face and realized he didn’t have to. She had already read Tommy’s pictures the way they were intended. As usual, she was way ahead of him. (Dave & Morley)
• Yoga
266: Matcha chai tea ~ Dave
277: Humbling pose. You can’t force it. It takes great patience, good timing, and a little luck, of course. But then all good things do. ~ Dave
Town Hall
285: Like father. Like son. ~ Morley
293: Maybe what I am trying to say is that those were my times. And I am thankful for them ~ Dave
#StuartMcLean @VinylCafe_
BELOW WERE COMMENTS FROM 1ST READING
This book made me smile
It made me cringe
It made me laugh
And it also made me sad.
Thinking of those Saturday Mornings over the last 10 plus years that I have been listening to Stuart expose on Dave and Morley and the rest of his characters....they have become friends, neighbours and almost family.
Read the book slowly to savour and then share it.
All's well for now as received another Vinyl Cafe book for Christmas and perhaps I will open up my own cafe in 2018!
Stuart McLean
2015
Comments from my first reading of the book:
This book made me smile
It made me cringe
It made me laugh
And it also made me sad.
Thinking of those Saturday Mornings over the last 10 plus years that I have been listening to Stuart expose on Dave and Morley and the rest of his characters....they have become friends, neighbours and almost family.
Read the book slowly to savour and then share it.
All's well for now as received another Vinyl Cafe book for Christmas and perhaps I will open up my own cafe in 2018!
Still feel the same way after reading it again, and finishing it just before what would have been Stuart’s 70th birthday tomorrow. Never had the opportunity to buy him a beer (or a cup of tea as that was what I would typically be drinking while listening to the show…but that is OK as still have the very fond memories.
Thank you Stuart.
Notes:
Art can move and later people in subtle ways because, like love, it speaks through and to the heart. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr in a letter to Sammy Davis Jr. December 20, 1960
• Sam’s Underwear
..a small green binder with the word Recipes on the cover, written in Sam’s hand. All the pages in the binder are blank, except for the first. On it Sam wrote, “We will fill ever page.” It’s the best thing anyone has ever given her.
2. How have you been managing with one pair? ~ Morley
Improvising ~ Sam
• Riding the Lightening
16. You have to chill out ~ Doctor (to Mary Turlington)
17: …the pretty girl in the summer dress disappeared down the street and into the crowd
EN: who is this girl?
20: Bert said: Make sure that you’re not touching him anywhere.
If you’re touching the patient, you are going to get shocked too.
21: Bert was in the corner inflating a new paper bag.
• Danceland
35: It never occurred to Roy that Helen might like a job. But then it hadn’t occurred to Helen either.
36: Betty Friedman had just published The Feminine Mystique. Helen hadn’t read it. In fact she hadn’t even heard of it.
EN: 1963
44: And so they dance, on their lawn, and while they dance he hummed “I’ve Got a Pocketful of Dreams,” quietly and endearingly off-key.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTFWa...
• Boy Wanted
51: Then he said, “I used to be a barber.” This is the way he talked, seasoning his conversation with a sequence of non sequiturs.
53: After three hours they’ll look like shrunken heads. And they’ll taste like the essence of tomato ~ Mr. Harmon
54: Slowly the little store, like all little stores, became a reflection of its owner.
59: Mr. Harmon working in your grocery store is like living in a cookbook. ~ Sam
62: He wouldn’t always work in a grocery store. Mr. Harmon had no illusions about that. But the things he was teaching him – to have pride, and to take care, especially with the small things – he would remember them all. And he would remember his first coffee, and how to slow –roast tomatoes, and the secrets of pasta. A boy could carry worse things with him as he began the long journey into manhood.
• Jim And Molly
75: You befriend a hungry cat. Who wouldn’t do that? And twenty-one years later your life is totally different.
• Spring at University
90: …it is always our choice how we react. Whether we choose to keep moving, head down, steadfast, and do what has to be done, one foot in front of the other, or whether we choose to disassemble.
It wasn’t what she’d learned about statistics that mattered. It was what she had learned about herself.
• Stamps
• Harmon’s Fine Foods
94: …a café correcto -…literal translation for is grappa laced espresso is corrected coffee…
96: A magnifying glass gives a person a certain gravitas ~ Murphy
98: Mail delivery used to be collect. You paid when you got the letter, not when you sent it. So everyone wrote coded messages on their envelopes. And people would look at the envelopes, read the coded message, then refuse to pay. ~ Murphy
101: It is not good for you to get too much money too fast. Look what happened to Justin Bieber. ~ Murphy
105: There was something about paying for the stamp that made it more precious.
• Foggy Bottom Bay
Jimmy Walker, Foggy Bottom Bay, Newfoundland
114: Now. Did they learn you about the margarine war in Upper Canada? ~ Jimmy
Jimmy loved his history from the margins.
120: There was an iceberg in the harbor. It was the first time he’d seen an iceberg, and it was more beautiful than you could imagine – not only for all the huge angles of it, but for the colour – it was as much blue as white – like a sculpture from a modern museum, just floating there.
121: It came up slow and beautiful, just the way he described it. It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Or I imagine it was. It was pretty foggy so I couldn’t actually see it. But I imagine it was. ~ Dave
• The One and Only Murphy Kruger
People who work in banks are taught not to make assumptions
130: They used to teach it (cursive). But they stopped. They use if when they’re writing about us. ~ Murphy
137: She kept a bottle of grappa in her bottom desk drawer especially for these Friday meetings.
You understand we really shouldn’t be doing this ~ Manager
Don’t worry. People are always saying that to me. ~ Murphy
• Helen Moves In
149: …but those walks were small acts of defiance. Helen was asserting herself.
153: And so she went. And Morley, who had spend her life leaving her mother, for the first time had to watch her mother leave instead.
• Tank of Tranquility
155: Or the poor shopkeepers, whatever shops they keep – they all fall victims to their own goods.
157: Dave had just bought a second-hand sensory deprivation tank.
160: That, of course, was why he really bought it. We are all drawn to things that terrify us. Don’t touch? We reach out. Don’t look. We do.
164: But we all forget things. Sometimes we forget important things.
167: They had always made it clear that you should forgive your enemies. But no ever said anything about friends.
• Home Alone
172: Dave is actually okay with the idea. Dave long ago decided that being a parent means losing most of the major battles. Parenthood, he believes, is an endless war of rearguard actions, retreats, and regroupings.
183: It was clumsy. They all knew that. But new beginnings are often clumsy.
• In the Weeds
202: To Stephanie, who is not defeated by her mistakes, who never abandons her workmates, and who can stand the heat in the kitchen.
• Prince Charles
209: John Wayne once said that courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.
When did we start quoting John Wayne? ~ Morley
Since things go serious ~ Dave
211: The trick to getting rid of mice is figuring out where they’re getting in.
214: Suddenly one of their mice had a name. Prince Charles
218: It came from the law of proximity, of course. We love the things that are closest to us.
• Jim’s Summer Trip
220: Took the subway ~ Dave
EN: Are they not in a smaller town?
223: Not dogs. And not strangers, either. Worse. Far Worse. Eight year old boys. ~ Jim
230: There is one word written on the front. “Dad”
Hey Dad, it reads. That was a test
231: And they had made it the way Dave had made it over so many of the hurdles he’d cleared over the years. They had made it with the kindness of a stranger
• Sam’s First Kiss
238: What we have here is a failure to communicate ~ Murphy
241: What he wanted to do was move his hand closer. Ever so slightly closer. Would that be…harassment?
• Crushed
Ah, one always admires what one doesn’t understand. ~ the women in the beret.
258: As they walked toward the fox, he could feel his heart pounding. In a weird way, it was exhilarating.
260: I think it means that beauty trumps morality. That’s the way it is, and that’s the way it has always been. I don’t think it should be like that. But that’s the way it is. That’s the way of the world. ~ Tommy
Here’s what I think. I think there’s a collision happening between civilization and the natural world. And I think you’re the witness. ~ Dave
262: He was about to reassure her that their daughter wasn’t involved with an axe murderer. But he looked at her face and realized he didn’t have to. She had already read Tommy’s pictures the way they were intended. As usual, she was way ahead of him. (Dave & Morley)
• Yoga
266: Matcha chai tea ~ Dave
277: Humbling pose. You can’t force it. It takes great patience, good timing, and a little luck, of course. But then all good things do. ~ Dave
Town Hall
285: Like father. Like son. ~ Morley
293: Maybe what I am trying to say is that those were my times. And I am thankful for them ~ Dave
#StuartMcLean @VinylCafe_
BELOW WERE COMMENTS FROM 1ST READING
This book made me smile
It made me cringe
It made me laugh
And it also made me sad.
Thinking of those Saturday Mornings over the last 10 plus years that I have been listening to Stuart expose on Dave and Morley and the rest of his characters....they have become friends, neighbours and almost family.
Read the book slowly to savour and then share it.
All's well for now as received another Vinyl Cafe book for Christmas and perhaps I will open up my own cafe in 2018!
February 12, 2024
Occasionally, when I happen to find a hardcover copy of McLean's Vinyl Cafe books, I'll always grab them. I've been listening to, or reading his Vinyl Cafe stories for twenty years now and, while I always remember the funny ones, it's always the poignant ones that catch me off guard.
I love these stories. McLean talked about "the importance of being unimportant" and that's what these disarming stories all have in common. They're just the funny, strange, weird, or heart-tugging stories that you'll hear from your friends and co-workers, but McLean puts this lovely polish on them that makes them so comforting, you can't help but smile after each one.
I miss Stuart McLean.
I love these stories. McLean talked about "the importance of being unimportant" and that's what these disarming stories all have in common. They're just the funny, strange, weird, or heart-tugging stories that you'll hear from your friends and co-workers, but McLean puts this lovely polish on them that makes them so comforting, you can't help but smile after each one.
I miss Stuart McLean.
February 16, 2017
Both heartfelt and funny, these short stories made me laugh and cry on the bus. A perfect short escape after work
September 25, 2022
Love that one story will make me laugh out loud and the next will make me cry, but they’re all equally heartwarming
July 15, 2023
Nostalgic
April 23, 2017
Rating - 9.2
A trip down memory & future lane (as a former son & current father) that brought many laughs & cringes along the way; McLean at his absolute finest & your emotions are putty to his crafting stories
Turns the Page is an appropriate title as most of the stories are rooted in a child growing up/a parent letting go; One of the few books where you can relate to all of the characters & all of the experiences
A trip down memory & future lane (as a former son & current father) that brought many laughs & cringes along the way; McLean at his absolute finest & your emotions are putty to his crafting stories
Turns the Page is an appropriate title as most of the stories are rooted in a child growing up/a parent letting go; One of the few books where you can relate to all of the characters & all of the experiences
July 12, 2023
There will always be a place in my sentimental heart for Stuart and Dave and Morley.
This may not be my #1 favourite as far as laugh out loud goes but maybe this one was like having a celebration of life for the Vinyl Cafe. Some good laughs, some great story telling and lots of warm fuzzies, even while there is a little pinch in your heart knowing you will miss this dear piece of Canadiana.
This may not be my #1 favourite as far as laugh out loud goes but maybe this one was like having a celebration of life for the Vinyl Cafe. Some good laughs, some great story telling and lots of warm fuzzies, even while there is a little pinch in your heart knowing you will miss this dear piece of Canadiana.
June 28, 2016
Sweet, touching and somehow very Canadian short stories. I used to listen to the radio show.
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November 21, 2016A great distraction during Trump's presidency... a much needed feel good read.
March 15, 2017
I started reading Vinyl Cafe Turns the Page the day before Stuart McLean passed away. I tried to make it last as long as I could. There will never be another like him.
July 12, 2019
It's a more sentimental collection than the others, but, dammit, of course it is.
May 6, 2017
Never heard any of these stories before. Again I am amazed what a good story teller Stuart McLean was. He has a way of making the ordinary seem extra-ordinary.
May 29, 2017
Laugh out Loud in most of the stories. Dave and Morley have aged, their kids are growing up. The stories tell about present day events and memories of childhood. Very good.
January 22, 2023
This book has been sitting on my shelf since Stuart McLean died several years ago. I have loved all of his books that I have read and was reluctant to read this one too soon since I knew there would be no more. Finally, I have opened it and read it slowly, one story at a time.
I was not definitely not disappointed. The stories were all wonderful! Morley and Dave are getting older, Stephanie and Sam have grown up, and all of the neighbours are up to their old tricks. Stuart had the most amazing knack for brilliantly combining hilarious, laugh-out-loud humour with sweetness and poignancy. Although I read this book and did not listen to it, his narrative voice is so strong that I could "hear" him telling the stories in his inimitable way throughout the book.
Last year, I reread his first book, "Stories from the Vinyl Cafe" and found it delightful. I am planning to reread his other books over the next while, but slowly, one story at a time, one collection at a time.
I was not definitely not disappointed. The stories were all wonderful! Morley and Dave are getting older, Stephanie and Sam have grown up, and all of the neighbours are up to their old tricks. Stuart had the most amazing knack for brilliantly combining hilarious, laugh-out-loud humour with sweetness and poignancy. Although I read this book and did not listen to it, his narrative voice is so strong that I could "hear" him telling the stories in his inimitable way throughout the book.
Last year, I reread his first book, "Stories from the Vinyl Cafe" and found it delightful. I am planning to reread his other books over the next while, but slowly, one story at a time, one collection at a time.
January 12, 2021
I miss Stuart McLean a lot. I'm know we would have lost him eventually, to retirement, or maybe because he felt like doing something else with his life. I and many friends had tickets for his last tour when we discovered there would be no last tour.
Thankfully this volume has more upbeat stories and less introspection than the previous book I read, which is good for where my headspace is right now.
I really enjoy Stuart's monologues, so once again, I skimmed along in the book as I listened to the Podcasts.
Thankfully this volume has more upbeat stories and less introspection than the previous book I read, which is good for where my headspace is right now.
I really enjoy Stuart's monologues, so once again, I skimmed along in the book as I listened to the Podcasts.
November 16, 2019
Amusing entry in the series of small town Canadian life stories with Vinyl Cafe as the main theme and featured in the title some way.
Not War and Peace but generally good interesting stories about a fictional small-town family and their lives; some are hilarious, some are sad and some heart-warming.
A nice easy read that's a welcome change from the modern world and so much of it's negativity and nastiness. Corny sounding, huh?
Not War and Peace but generally good interesting stories about a fictional small-town family and their lives; some are hilarious, some are sad and some heart-warming.
A nice easy read that's a welcome change from the modern world and so much of it's negativity and nastiness. Corny sounding, huh?
August 8, 2021
I found this in the 'bargain' section of our local bookstore. Wow, what a gem.
I have read - and enjoyed - other 'Vinyl Cafe' books, but I found many of the stories in this one to be more poignant than most... maybe because it was one of the last books McLean published.
On nights when I would wake up in the middle of the night and not be able to get back to sleep, I would read a story from this book. They were/are a great tonic for slowing the mind down, and reconnecting with human grace.
I have read - and enjoyed - other 'Vinyl Cafe' books, but I found many of the stories in this one to be more poignant than most... maybe because it was one of the last books McLean published.
On nights when I would wake up in the middle of the night and not be able to get back to sleep, I would read a story from this book. They were/are a great tonic for slowing the mind down, and reconnecting with human grace.
May 9, 2017
Every Vinyl Cafe is 5 stars in my book. I am so sad that Stuart McLean died, so I bought every Vinyl Cafe book I didn't already own. I can't believe there will be no more Dave & Morley stories. What an amazing author and storyteller. All these books are regulars for me--I re-read them when I need to laugh or cry or feel good about the world.
December 18, 2019
This was my first Vinyl Cafe book that I have read (but not my first Vinyl Cafe stories). I loved reading these stories almost as much as I loved hearing Stuart McLean tell them. I often heard them in his voice in my head. This book brought me so much comfort, just like hearing him on the radio used to. If you are a Vinyl Cafe fan I highly recommend.
February 4, 2021
This is my second compilation of Vinyl Cafe stories (the first being A Vinyl Cafe Christmas) and I loved every minute of reading this book. The stories are humorous but also very heartwarming and some even a little sad and nostalgic. These are stories of a simpler time and McLean is a wonderful storyteller. All in all, it's a great pick me up and a feel good read!
April 29, 2021
Another enjoyable collection of stories from the Vinyl Cafe. As usual I found myself smiling, crying, and laughing out loud. The stories of these characters are always so inviting to the readers you can't help but recognize the traits in friends and family in their lives. What else can you say about a Vinyl Cafe book?
December 21, 2023
Look - I'll be honest. I read this several months ago and, candidly, it's just been in my stack of "type up a review" since the summer. That's not because it's bad... on the contrary, it's just good ol' Vinyl Café. It's wonderful, light, happy, wholesome, and delightful. It's a great collection of stories and I'd happily read it again.
June 22, 2024
I feel like this would be a great comfort read for anyone living or who has lived on the east coast of Canada - or basically anyone for that matter. Just an all around feel good book. This book is made up of short stories, however each are connected in little ways. Some stories are from the POV of the mom, the son, the father, their neighbour, etc.
January 26, 2018
An enchanting journey of emotion. As always, Stuart McLean delivers a humorous take on life with Dave, Morley, Sam, and Stephanie with his never-ending ability to put the reader in the characters’ shoes.
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