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.

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!

Reading “Watership Down” with one of our special guests! Brain Power’s Book Club had a fun and thought-provoking evening discussing Richard Adams’s “Watership Down.” We followed the adventures of Fiver, Hazel, Bigwig, Silver, and the other rabbits as they attempt to make their new home in Watership Down. Ecology and environmentalism were the themes of the day, and we were joined by some very special guests: real live bunnies! Click to Enlarge Images

Brain Power’s book club read Mark Haddon’s Whitbread Award winning “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.” A story about a 15-year-old boy who sees the world in a way that differentiates him from most people, it is also a fascinating mystery novel, and a lesson in empathy and “seeing the world through someone else’s eyes.” We had a fascinating discussion about this novel, considering how people who see the world differently (e.g. people with autism) deal with...