Getting ready to win some friends and influence some people!
Brain Power’s book club had an enlightening time reading Dale Carnegie’s classic self-help book, “How to Win Friends and Influence People” (1936). A classic in the genre, Carnegie’s book was the American guidebook to social relations for generations of successful (and would-be-successful) professionals.

We discussed the positives and negatives of Carnegie’s approach to human relations, including the ethics of “winning” (not making!) friends and “influencing” (or maybe manipulating?) people.

Dr. Ruslan Dorfman gives us a fascinating perspective on genetic engineering and “Flowers for Algernon” Brain Power’s Book Club had a fascinating discussion about Daniel Keyes’s “Flowers for Algernon” with our special guest, Dr. Ruslan Dorfman, CEO and co-founder of GeneYouIn (located in Toronto’s Mars Centre Discovery District). Dr. Dorfamn brought his experience as a genetic testing expert specializing in the pharmacogenetics of rare diseases to our discussion of Keyes’s imaginary portrait of a man who is given an experimental treatment to dramatically...

Brain Power’s book club had an exciting adventure reading Frank Herbert’s epic science-fiction classic, “Dune” (1965). When the Atreides family accepts the stewardship of the desert planet of Dune, they find themselves at the centre of the machinations of great powers eager to claim the planet’ exclusive and enormously valuable supply of “spice.” At our book club meeting we used the novel as a springboard to discuss the intersections of science fiction, imagination, and futurism.

Every year Brain Power offers students the opportunity to see a live Shakespeare performance! This year the play of choice was “As You Like It,” and students went to see a National Theatre Live broadcast at the Silver City in Richmond Hill. This classic comedy tells the story of young Rosalind, who disguises herself as a man and flees the persecutions of her uncle’s court, along with her cousin Celia, to find safety and (unexpectedly!) love in the forest of Arden. Students...

Discussing Victor Hugo’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” with musical accompaniment! Brain Power’s Book Club had a great time reading Victor Hugo’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”  Written in 1831, Hugo’s classic tale of the hunchbacked Quasimodo, the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda, and the villainous Archdeacon Frolio still had the power to keep us on the edge of our seats! In keeping with the theme, we enjoyed some French pastries and the musical accompaniment of a wandering accordionist. Click to Enlarge Images

Brain Power students attended Canada’s superstar writer Margaret Atwood’s simulcast at the Toronto Reference Library. Margaret Atwood is the author of many novels, including “The Edible Woman” (1969), “The Handmaid’s Tale” (1985), “Cat’s Eye” (1988), “Alias Grace” (1996), “The Blind Assassin” (2000), and “Oryx and Crake” (2003).

One lucky student was the winner of Brain Power’s Margaret Atwood Essay Contest, and as a result, got to attend a VIP event, as well.

Brain Power meets Margaret Atwood!