The book is truly a great read. It contains a collection of stories that are both engaging and captivating. I found myself thoroughly enjoying the narratives as I turned the pages.

However, I must admit that I didn't enjoy the book as much as I did listening to the broadcast on his radio show. The radio show had a unique charm and atmosphere that brought the stories to life in a different way.

Interestingly, several of the stories that were in the book were also featured on the radio show. This gave me the opportunity to experience them in two different mediums and compare the two.

Overall, while the book is a great addition to any bookshelf, I would highly recommend tuning in to his radio show to get the full experience of these wonderful stories.

This is a book review that simply states it is a "quick, but incredibly excellent read." However, let's expand on this to give a more detailed and engaging description.

This particular piece of literature offers a reading experience that is both swift and remarkably outstanding. From the very first page, it grabs your attention and doesn't let go until the very end. The pacing is brisk, allowing you to breeze through the pages with ease, yet it doesn't sacrifice the quality of the story or the depth of the characters.

The author has managed to create a world that is rich in detail and filled with interesting and complex individuals. The plot is engaging and full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. Whether you're a fan of mystery, romance, or adventure, this book has something for everyone.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a book that you can devour in one sitting and yet be left feeling satisfied and fulfilled, then this is the one for you. It truly is a quick, but incredibly excellent read.

This entire book was an absolute delight to read, right from the very first page.

Stuart McLean truly is a master storyteller. He has skillfully crafted a cast of characters and a community that draw you in and make you feel as if you're an integral part of it.

I have a deep affection for every single character, and I thoroughly enjoy reading about their various escapades.

At one particular moment, I was laughing so uproariously that tears were streaming down my face! I don't believe I've ever had a book elicit such a strong reaction from me before.

The way McLean weaves his stories, with their charming details and relatable situations, is truly remarkable.

It's as if he has opened up a window into a world that is both familiar and yet full of surprises.

Each chapter is like a little adventure, and I couldn't wait to turn the page to see what would happen next.

This book is not just a great read; it's an experience that will stay with you long after you've finished the last page.

Stuart McLean is Canada's equivalent of Garrison Keillor. His stories span a wide range, from deeply poignant ones that tug at the heartstrings to those that are uproariously laugh out loud funny.

McLean has an excellent understanding of the human comedy, comparable to that of any writer I have ever read.

He was recommended to me by a very good friend. I truly relished this book and am eagerly anticipating reading his other works.

I can't wait to explore more of his unique storytelling and the wonderful world he creates with his words.

His ability to capture the essence of human nature and present it in an engaging and entertaining way is truly remarkable.

I believe that anyone who enjoys good literature will find great pleasure in reading Stuart McLean's books.

What a truly fantastic book this is!

I was completely engrossed in it from start to finish and loved every single minute of the reading experience.

It had me laughing out loud on numerous occasions, the humor was so clever and engaging.

But it also had its touching moments that made me tear up a few times.

This book has really touched my heart and made me realize how wonderful good literature can be.

Now, I am on a mission to find more books like this one.

I can't wait to discover other hidden gems that will bring me the same kind of joy, laughter, and emotions.

I'm sure there are many more amazing books out there waiting for me to explore, and I'm excited to embark on this literary journey.

I had never heard of Stuart McLean until a couple of years ago. It was an unexpected encounter that led me to discover his wonderful work.

The owner of the second-hand record store I often visit gave me a complementary CD as a bonus with my purchase. It was supposed to be a two-CD set, but unfortunately, one was missing. So, he decided to give it to me for free. The CD was titled Vinyl Cafe Odd Jobs by Stuart McLean.

McLean is a humorist and raconteur who has a weekly radio show on Sundays on the CBC. I excitedly popped the CD into the car player on my way home. As soon as the first bit, Odd Jobs, started playing, I was instantly hooked. It was the funniest thing I had ever heard. I couldn't help but play it for my friends and visitors whenever they came over. It never failed to bring on uncontrollable belly laughs.

The Vinyl Cafe books transcribe some of the stories from his radio show onto the printed page. They all possess the same charm, wit, and warmth that is characteristic of Stuart McLean. The stories revolve around a fictional family. There's Dave, the owner of a second-hand record store called the Vinyl Cafe. His wife, Morley, manages a local theater group. And their teenage children, Sam and Stephanie, add to the mix. They all live in a fictional and unnamed Ontario town. The stories also include their friends and neighbors, making it a rich and engaging world.

This particular book contains sixteen stories, all of which are highly engaging. Some are truly hilarious, while others gently poke fun at the foibles of life. It's well worth the read. However, if you can get your hands on a CD, I highly recommend giving it a listen. Stuart McLean is by far one of my favorite humorists.

This collection of short stories by the late Canadian broadcaster Stuart McLean is truly a literary gem. It's like a delicious helping of strawberries and cream, or perhaps an ice-cold beer on the sweltering hottest day of summer. I simply cannot fathom any reader not being completely charmed and bowled over by these amiable and outrageously funny tales of the everyday comings and goings of a perfectly ordinary Toronto family.

The period covered in the stories stretches from one Christmas to the following winter, which is why the subtitle is A Year of Stories. Each season of the year is allocated a number of stories, adding to the realistic and seamless flow of the book as we accompany the family through the passage of time from Christmas to Christmas. And what uproarious and at times catastrophic yule tides they prove to be! From the hapless head of the family, Dave, left in charge of preparing the turkey (an apparently simple operation that soon threatens to turn into a major disaster), to a rum-spiked bowl of eggnog that somehow finds its way into the circle of children innocently enjoying their own harmless festivities in the basement.

Dave is the owner of the Vinyl Cafe, which is allegedly the smallest record bar in downtown Toronto. His better half, Morley, is initially a housewife but later enters the work market as the manager of the Century of Wind Theatre Company. The rest of the family consists of sixteen-year-old Stephanie and seven-year-old Sam. The stories introduce us to a cast of various neighbors and friends who feature in the sometimes true-to-life, sometimes farcical adventures that befall the family. One particularly delightful character is Kenny Woo, the owner of Woo's Scottish Pies. He is a true friend to Dave and always has the record store owner's back. Kenny comes to Dave's rescue when the latter gets into serious trouble after his attempt to care for a neighbor's iconic sourdough starter goes hilariously wrong. There are also wonderfully detailed vignettes concerning Dave's and Morley's parents, and richly rendered flashbacks to their own childhood years, disastrous teenage dates, and the story of how they first met. All of this combines to create an extremely easy and enjoyable read, leaving the reader in a more-or-less continuous state of hilarity while being superbly entertained by the author's sparkling wit and inventive storytelling. The world of this one family is presented so persuasively that most readers will end up convinced that they know these likeable people as intimately as they know their own families.

Highlights of the book include young Sam's birthday party where a planned sleepover is ruined for ten little boys due to the wrong choice of movie, Dave's surreal encounter with a wilful blood pressure reading device, and an unenviable situation for our hero while on the roof of his house in sub-zero conditions stringing up Christmas lights.

Stuart Mclean wrote a string of best-selling books about Dave and his family, in addition to creating a popular Canadian radio program featuring more of the same. As someone who is not Canadian, this is my first encounter with this phenomenon. I'm truly grateful that I listened to my gut feeling when I saw this volume sitting quietly and unassumingly on the shelves of my favorite second-hand book dealer. It has given me untold pleasure and will continue to do so every time I look back on it.

4.5 ⭐
This remarkable book had me in stitches from start to finish.

It was an absolute joy to read, filled with hilarious anecdotes and witty remarks that continuously tickled my funny bone.

The author's unique writing style and sense of humor made this book a real page-turner.

Each chapter was more entertaining than the last, and I found myself unable to put it down.

It's definitely a feel-good book that will leave you with a smile on your face and a warm heart.

I highly recommend this book to anyone in need of a good laugh or a pick-me-up.

It's a must-read for all humor lovers out there!

Light slice-of-life essays are likely to perform better on the radio, where they have been aired.

These essays offer a humorous perspective on Canadian family life in Toronto.

However, I have never had the opportunity to listen to the radio broadcasts or read the earlier works, which puts me at a disadvantage.

Sometimes, the humor in these essays hits the mark and brings a smile to the listener's face.

Other times, it may not quite land as effectively.

Despite this, the idea of exploring family life through a humorous lens is an interesting one.

It allows listeners to relate to the experiences and find humor in the everyday situations that we all encounter.

Perhaps with repeated exposure or a better understanding of the context, I would be able to fully appreciate the humor and charm of these essays.

Until then, I will continue to explore different forms of writing and see what other perspectives and stories they have to offer.

I absolutely loved this book!

The story is written in a unique way as it chronicles a year in the life of the main character and his family. It is filled with hilarious and heartwarming moments that keep you engaged from start to finish.

I remember vividly the scene where the main character attempts to cook the turkey. His misadventures in the kitchen had me almost falling off the chair laughing. And then there was the incident with the squirrel on the bird feeder. It added an extra layer of charm and humor to the story.

The author's writing style is engaging and descriptive, making it easy to picture the events as they unfold. The characters are well-developed and relatable, which makes you care about their lives and experiences.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good laugh and a touching story. I highly recommend it!

These stories had a profound impact on me, making me experience a simple yet deeply felt happiness.

"To be that close to a face with that look is truly something one never forgets. She was sitting on the couch engaged in conversation with Michael when she noticed his glasses had mysteriously started to fog up, and he seemed out of breath for no apparent reason. This struck her as rather peculiar since he wasn't even moving. He was just sitting there with his arm around her shoulders. She wasn't quite sure how that arm got there in the first place. Then she realized that his face, with that distant look, was moving closer and closer. She knew exactly what was happening and understood that it had absolutely nothing to do with her. It could have been any girl sitting beside Michael at that moment. She just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, much like a traffic accident. She didn't dare to move a single muscle, even though the arm of the couch was digging uncomfortably into her back. She was afraid that if she so much as shifted, Michael might misinterpret it as a sign of passion, and things could potentially take a turn for the worse."

How am I only just now discovering McLean? I have this feeling that I'm late to the party, and quite frankly, I'm a bit pissed off about it. It's as if I've been missing out on something wonderful all this time. I can't help but wonder what other great things I might have overlooked.

I just love Steward McLean's vinyl cafe stories!

These stories have a unique charm that always manages to draw me in.

One of them was the very first English book I purchased when I relocated to the USA for an internship.

Ever since then, I have completely fallen in love with the wonderful family at the center of these tales and their crazy, yet endearing stories.

The characters are so vividly brought to life that I feel as if I am a part of their world.

Each story is filled with humor, heart, and valuable life lessons.

I can't help but smile and sometimes even shed a tear as I follow the adventures of the family.

The Vinyl Cafe stories have truly become a source of comfort and joy for me, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a great read.