Books & Biscotti (Book Review) with Tina Urman
Thursday, October 30, 2025 • 8 Cheshvan 5786
1:00 PM - 2:30 PMOnline via Zoom
by Fredrik Backman
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This review is only offered online via Zoom. The program will be recorded.
Free for Temple Members | $15 for guests
Zoom link and password will be emailed after you register
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
Most people don’t even notice them—three tiny figures sitting at the end of a long pier in the corner of one of the most famous paintings in the world. Most people think it’s just a depiction of the sea. But Louisa, an artist herself, knows otherwise and she is determined to find out the story of these three enigmatic figures.
Twenty-five years earlier, in a distant town, a group of teenagers find refuge from their difficult home lives by spending their days laughing and telling stories out on a pier. There’s Joar, who never backs down from a fight; quiet and bookish Ted who is mourning his father; Ali, the daughter of a man who never stays in one place for long; and finally, there’s the artist, a boy who hoards sleeping pills and shuns attention, but who possesses an extraordinary gift that might be his ticket to a better life. These four lost souls find in each other a reason to get up each morning, a reason to dream.
Out of that summer emerges a transcendent work of art, a painting that will unexpectedly be put into eighteen-year-old Louisa’s care. As she struggles to decide what to do with this bequest, she embarks on a surprise-filled cross-country journey to learn the story of how the painting came to be. The closer she gets to the painting’s birthplace, the more she feels compelled to unleash her own artistic spirit, but happy endings don’t always take the form we expect in this fresh testament to the transformative power of friendship and art.
From Amazon.ca
For more information on the book and the author, please CLICK HERE to visit the publisher's website (Simon & Schuster).
Tina Urman brings a creative approach to learning by integrating her knowledge of art and literature with a teaching background. For many years she has been a volunteer gallery guide at the Art Gallery of Ontario and continues to teach courses at the University of Toronto, School of Continuing Studies. In addition she presents literary reviews to various private and public groups both within and outside of the city.
Tina further combines her skill and passion for art and literature with Novel Inspirations Tours to New York City at which time she leads groups and provides the opportunity to explore the various museums and galleries while making literary connections to the art.
The importance of charity work is always part of Tina’s focus from raising funds for Breast Cancer Research to supporting Save a Child’s Heart and One Family Fund in Israel. Her most recent incentive was to begin Shop to Share a way in which to help women and their children escaping abusive relationships as a result of Covid with much needed food and supplies.
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[For donations (not registrations) - "Type": Temple Emanu-El Fund / Dedication: "In honour of" Books & Biscotti]
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