A couple notable things to mention. It's the last week of he Keep Toronto Reading festival, which nicely coincides with this year's Canada Reads special on CBC Radio. Each night this week, dial up 99.1FM at 7:30pm to hear panelists campaign the book they think Canada should read. The books in question are Brown Girl in the Ring by Nalo Hopkinson (defended by Jemeni), From the Fifteenth District by Mavis Gallant (Lisa Moore), Icefields (Steve MacLean) by Thomas Wharton, King Leary by Paul Quarrington (Dave Bidini) and Not Wanted on the Voyage by Timothy Findley (Zaib Shaikh). This week is also Freedom to Read Week (Feb. 24 to Mar. 1), when Canadians are encouraged to read challenged books and magazines.

Tuesday, February 26th:

Catch a preview of the CBC miniseries based on Guy Vanderhaeghe's acclaimed novel, The Englishman's Boy, followed by a discussion about the rewards and challenges of filming a literary adaptation with executive producer Kevin DeWalt and stars Nicholas Campbell and Ted Dykstra. Part of Keep Toronto Reading.
Toronto Reference Library. 6:30pm. Free.

Popular West End reading series/cabaret FREE SPEECH proudly showcases the prose, poetry, spoken word, comedy, storytelling and songwriting of Parkdale-High Park based writers and performers. The February installment features novelist Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer, poet David Seymour, comedian Paul Hutcheson, and bilingual actor/chanteuse Claire Jenkins. As usual, FREE SPEECH is hosted by Johan Hultqvist.
Tinto. 7pm. Free.

The U of T Bookstore Reading Series presents author John Richardson, speaking about the third volume of his biography of Pablo Picasso, A Life of Picasso: The Triumphant Years, 1917-1932. The newest book covers a turbulent and prolific period in Picasso's life, which culminated in his being acknowledged as the leader of the modern movement.
Innis Town Hall. 7-9pm. $5.

This week's installment of the Art Bar Poetry Reading Series features Elizabeth Bachinsky, Sasha Manoli and Tomy Bewick.
Clinton's. 8pm. Free.

Check out this week's Coffeehouse Cabaret Open Stage featuring music, spoken word, and comedy. Hosted by Shawn Sage.
Renaissance Cafe. 9pm (sign up is at 8:30). Free.

Wednesday, February 27th:

Toronto Public Library, International Readings at Harbourfront and The Amazing Food Service present a smorgasbord of literary delights for this year's Keep Toronto Reading festival. Bring your lunch or buy a complete meal for just $5. During this lunch hour, Trillium Book Award-winner Ken Babstock (Airstream Land Yacht) and Souvankham Thammavongsa (Found) testify to the harrowing beauty of things found, and to everyday experiences.
Runnymede Branch. 12:30-1:30pm. Free ($5 for lunch).

Have a KTR lunch with Maureen Jennings (The K Handshape) and Linwood Barclay (No Time for Goodbye).
Northern District Branch. 12:30-1:30pm. Free ($5 for lunch).

At one of KTR's last Lit Lunches, Dennis Bock (The Communist's Daughter) and 2007 Scotiabank Giller Prize-shortlisted author Alissa York (Effigy) put a compelling twist on the past with their acclaimed novels.
Toronto Reference Library. 12:30pm. Free ($5 for lunch).

TVOKids host Gisèle is coming from her Big Backyard to read a favourite book. Share Gisèle's love of reading, find out how you can join her Big Backyard Book Club and much more. Part of KTR.
Gerrard/Ashdale Branch. 1:30pm. Free.

Multi-talented writer/director/actor Daniel MacIvor will be reading from his recent works, a Hart House Literary and Library Committee event.
Hart House Library. 6pm. Free.

Gabor Maté, M.D., author of In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction, will be reading at the University of Toronto Bookstore Reading Series.
Innis Town Hall. 7:30pm. Free.

Celebrate the launch for Shari Lapeña's new novel, Things Go Flying. "Take David Sedaris' wit and mix it with the outrageousness of Douglas Coupland's fiction and you get a glimpse of the Walker family in Things Go Flying. A dark, hilarious and wildly inventive contemporary comedy about how the past can come back to haunt you. Literally."
Over Joy. 7:30pm. Free.

International Readings at Harbourfront presents Elizabeth Abbott, reading from her non-fiction work Sugar: A Bittersweet History, Lawrence Hill, reading from his historical novel The Book of Negroes, and Ahmad Saidullah, reading from his book of short stories, Happiness and Other Disorders. Nathan Whitlock hosts.
Harbourfront Centre Brigantine Room. 7:30pm. $8.

This month at Writuals, Hart House's monthly spoken word literature night, Triny Finlay will read some of her latest works. An open mic session follows her reading.
Hart House Arbor Room. 9-11pm. Free.

Thursday, February 28th:

The Dr. Chun Resource Library invites you to a reading of The Writing Circle by Dr. Rozena Maart.
The Dr. Chun Resource Library, Centre for Women and Trans People (U of T). 6pm. Free.

Chef and cookbook author David Adjey, CBC wine expert Konrad Ejbich and gardening guru Lorraine Johnson discuss the hows and whys of eating locally. Food journalist Chris Nuttall-Smith moderates. This event is part of Toronto Public Library's Keep Toronto Reading program.
Riverdale Branch. 7pm. Free.

Spend an intimate evening with author Sandra Gulland and LCBO product specialists. Enjoy a discussion and guided wine tastings that evoke the world's enchanting regions. Gulland shares her new novel Mistress of the Sun, set against the decadence of 17th century France. Part of this year's KTR festival.
Bayview Branch. 7-9pm. The discussion in the first hour is free. Tickets for the wine tasting in the second hour ($45) must be purchased in person at the host library branch prior to the event. Tickets are limited and go on sale on Tues. Jan. 29. Customers must be 19 years or older.

Come celebrate the launch of Brett Alexander Savory's first short story collection, No Further Messages.
Gladstone Hotel Art Bar. 8-11:30pm. Free.

Friday, February 29th:

PEN Canada, in partnership with the Toronto Public Library, presents a star-studded line-up of readings and musical performances in honour of Freedom to Read Week. The event is titled after a new anthology, Writers Under Siege: Voices of Freedom from Around the World, which features letters, poetry, prose, and dramatic writing by fifty contributors from across the world. Tonight's event will include readings by Thomas King, Shirley Douglas, Jill Carter, Clayton Ruby, Jackleen Hanna and Benedicta S Madawo. Musical performance by Waleed Abdulhamid Kush and Laurence Stevenson. Hosted by CBC Radio's Garvia Bailey and part of this year's KTR.
Toronto Reference Library. 7:30pm. $5-$10.

Saturday, March 1st:

Indigo presents the nominees for this year's Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction.
Authors Kevin Bazzana (Lost Genius), David Gilmour (The Film Club), Lorna Goodison (From Harvey River), Richard Gwyn (John A.) and Anna Porter (Kasztner's Train) will be on hand to discuss their nominated works.
Indigo Eaton Centre. 2pm. Free.

Sunday, March 2nd:

If you missed the Charles Taylor Prize Shortlist authors yesterday, you can meet them today at The Globe and Mail/Ben McNally Brunch Series.
King Edward Hotel. 10am. $40 by phone with a credit card, or call for information.

Monday, March 3rd:

Tom Stoppard begins the plays, and three of Canada's best playwrights (Daniel MacIvor, Morwyn Brebner and Claudia Dey) finish them at One Day: Three Plays, a fund raising gala for Necessary Angel Theatre Company. The plays will be directed by Daniel Brooks, and Rick Miller hosts.
Capitol Event Theatre. 7pm. Get tickets by calling Daniel Nyman at 416-703-0406, ext. 201.

Come on out for Indiepolitik's Monthly Reading Series, entitled Strong Words.
Gladstone Hotel Art Bar. 7:30-10:30pm. PWYC.