MARKHAM READS 2025
Get ready, Markham, it's time for Markham Reads! In the 13th year of Markham's city-wide book celebration, we’re diving into the unforgettable graphic novel memoir All Our Ordinary Stories by Teresa Wong. Markham Reads is more than just a program, it’s a chance to come together as a community, share ideas, and build connections through the power of storytelling. With exciting events inspired by the book and plenty of opportunities to meet new friends, this is Markham's biggest library program, and you don’t want to miss it. Let’s read, connect, and celebrate together!
Feature
Markham Reads: In Conversation with Teresa Wong
Upcoming Markham Reads Programs
Markham Reads Programs
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About the Book
Teresa Wong’s All Our Ordinary Stories begins with a life-altering moment, her mother’s stroke in 2014, and unfolds into a deeply moving exploration of family, identity, and connection. Through a tapestry of stories, from her parents’ daring escapes during China’s Cultural Revolution to her own childhood memories of skipping Chinese school for cartoons, Wong delves into the barriers: cultural, historical, linguistic, and personal, that have shaped the distance between her and her parents.
This graphic novel memoir is a heartfelt journey to answer profound questions like, 'Where did I come from?' and 'Where are we going?' At its core, it celebrates the power of storytelling to bridge gaps, heal wounds, and bring clarity to life’s complexities. A must-read for children of immigrants, All Our Ordinary Stories beautifully captures the challenge of honoring the past while forging a future, offering an understated yet poignant look at family dynamics and the legacies we carry.
Physical copies of the book will be available at the branches on April 8.
About Teresa Wong
Teresa Wong is a celebrated voice in graphic memoirs, known for her powerful works All Our Ordinary Stories (2024) and Dear Scarlet (2019), both of which earned spots on the longlist for CBC Canada Reads. Her captivating comics have graced the pages of renowned publications such as The Believer, The New Yorker, McSweeney’s, and The Walrus. A passionate educator, Teresa teaches memoir and comic storytelling at Gotham Writers Workshop and proudly served as the 2021–22 Canadian Writer-in-Residence at the University of Calgary.
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Markham Reads Programs
This year we have some dynamic programming for Markham Reads, designed to engage, inspire, and connect our community. There will be thought-provoking book discussions, fun comic book writing workshops, engaging memoir writing programs, and an exciting author talk with Teresa Wong, the author of All Our Ordinary Stories! There’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re a lifelong learner, a budding creator, or simply looking for meaningful experiences, our programming promises to deliver unique opportunities to grow, discover, and connect.
