Friday Reads is a new weekly feature here on

Cityline.ca, where we give you a behind-the-scenes look at what

Cityline guest experts and staff members are reading. Each week we’ll

put the spotlight on the “Friday Reads” of two of our crew. This week,

we’re taking a peek at the bookshelves of Dr. Joey Shulman and Amber-Rose Sandu.

Dr. Joey Shulman, guest expert:

Although I thoroughly enjoy public speaking and being in the media, at home and in my personal life, I thrive on quiet moments and time alone. This is likely why the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain (Crown Publishing Group) was so appealing to me.

According to author Susan Cain, at least one-third of the people we know are introverts. Although they are often labeled “quiet,” it is to introverts that we owe many of the great contributions to society – from Van Gogh’s sunflowers, to the invention of the personal computer. Passionately argued, impressively researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet shows how we can all benefit from some calm and quiet in our world, and how it can actually help us to achieve more of what our heart’s desire. 

Amber-Rose Sandu, floor director:

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Knopf Books for Young Readers) was a very interesting read. It had a very gloomy and depressing tone, as it takes place during World War II. The protagonist is a young girl who was abandoned by her family and ended up being fostered by the Hubermanns. A central part of the novel is after Liesel’s brother dies and she attends his funeral, she ends up stealing a book from a gravedigger who dropped it. This became significant to Liesel as it was the only tangible thing she had that reminded her of her brother. Liesel was really struggling with everything that was occurring in her life as she was such a young girl who had to deal with such intense issues. She started bonding with Hans, her foster father, who even though he has a rough demeanor, he has a kind heart. He finds out about the stolen book and it becomes their ritual that every night that he would teach Liesel how to read and write.

Even though life has been so hard for this young girl, she finds a way to see the positive side of things and keep herself alive in a sense through books.

What are you reading this Friday? Tell us in the comments what books are currently residing on your bedside table!