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 Suzanne Ellis and Amber-Rose Sandu.

Suzanne Ellis, Cityline.ca managing editor:

Throughout their lives, author Will Schwalbe and his mother Mary Anne loved to talk about books, and what they were each reading at the moment. When Mary Anne was diagnosed with terminal cancer, that didn’t change – in fact, their bond grew stronger over the two years that followed as they made the decision to read the same books so that they could talk about them at her chemotherapy treatments; a book club of two. Schwalbe has taken those conversations and turned them into the lovely memoir The End of Your Life Book Club (Knopf Canada), which celebrates both his mother’s life and their shared passion for reading.

As a voracious reader myself, I’m really enjoying their conversations about and analysis of all sorts of books, everything from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, to The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham, to Stieg Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. On the surface, yes, this is heart-wrenching subject matter, but Schwalbe’s book is also tremendously uplifting and inspiring – and really makes you think about how you’d want to spend time with someone you loved if you knew that time was limited.

Amber-Rose Sandu, unit assistant:

Auntie Mame is one of my favourite classic movies to watch. So, when I came across the book I was so excited to read it. It definitely did not disappoint. It’s one of those books that makes you laugh out loud and puts a smile on your face.

The story has a bit of a twist to it because the book is written by Patrick Dennis, which is also the name of the Auntie Mame’s nephew. Dennis makes you think that you’re reading a story based on true occurrences and facts about an aunt who becomes the guardian for her 8-year-old nephew and all the adventures they experience, although it is actually fiction.

Auntie Mame is one of my absolute favourite characters. She’s eccentric, carefree, a great lover of the arts and knowledge and an explorer of the world. It was wonderful that Dennis made you feel as though everyone should have an Auntie Mame.

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