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Vinyl Cafe #3

Vinyl Cafe Unplugged

stuart mclean

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The Vinyl Café Unplugged is the third book in Stuart McLean's Vinyl Café series, and like the one before it, Home from the Vinyl Café, it won the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. This collection contains 14 delightful stories, many first broadcast on CBC Radio, about an idiosyncratic family of four in Toronto. Dave and Morley, the parents, and Sam and Stephanie, the children, lead a life of endless minor mishaps and misunderstandings.

In "Odd Jobs," Dave, who owns a record store called the Vinyl Café, wants to install an outlet in his kitchen at home. Friends from the neighbourhood come over one by one to help until, by the end of the day, they have broken a window, chipped a sink, and left 15 large holes in the kitchen wall without managing to install an outlet. In "The Razor's Edge," Dave leaves for the airport at 6:15 a.m. for a 7 o'clock flight. Arriving, he enters the wrong line and then gets lost. Reaching the gate with 45 seconds to spare, he finds it deserted and soon discovers he's two hours early. When an airline staffer arrives and remarks on how early he is, he says, "I always try to be. I've never understood those people who wait until the last moment." Whether they're trying to toilet train their cat, Galway, or figure out why the air conditioning cools every room except the one they sleep in, Dave and Morley and the kids keep their endless good humour and let us in on their secret lives. --Mark Frutkin

Arthur --
Galway --
The fly --
Christmas Presents --
Harrison Ford's Toes --
Dorothy --
The last kind word blues --
The bare truth --
Susan is serious --
Odd jobs --
the razor's edge --
Morley's christmas pageant --
Figs --
Love never ends

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,2000
Series
Vinyl Cafe
Literary awards
stephen leacock memorial medal, 

This edition

Format
272 pages, Paperback
Published
January 1, 2001 by Penguin
ISBN
9780140299144
ASIN
0140299149
Language
English

More editions

About the author

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stuart mclean

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Librarian Note: There was more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

From the Vinyl Cafe web site: Stuart McLean was a best-selling author, award-winning journalist and humorist, and host of CBC Radio program The Vinyl Cafe.

Stuart began his broadcasting career making radio documentaries for CBC Radio's Sunday Morning. In 1979 he won an ACTRA award for Best Radio Documentary for his contribution to the program's coverage of the Jonestown massacre.

Following Sunday Morning, Stuart spent seven years as a regular columnist and guest host on CBC's Morningside. His book, The Morningside World of Stuart McLean, was a Canadian bestseller and a finalist in the 1990 City of Toronto Book Awards.

Stuart has also written Welcome Home: Travels in Small Town Canada, and edited the collection When We Were Young. Welcome Home was chosen by the Canadian Authors' Association as the best non-fiction book of 1993.

Stuart's books Stories from the Vinyl Cafe, Home from the Vinyl Cafe, Vinyl Cafe Unplugged, Vinyl Cafe Diaries, Dave Cooks the Turkey, Secrets from the Vinyl Cafe and Extreme Vinyl Cafe have all been Canadian bestsellers. Vinyl Cafe Diaries was awarded the Canadian Authors' Association Jubilee Award in 2004. Stuart was also a three-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour for Home from the Vinyl Cafe, Vinyl Cafe Unplugged and, most recently, Secrets from the Vinyl Cafe.

Vinyl Cafe books have also been published in the U.S., the U.K., Australia and New Zealand.

Stuart was a professor emeritus at Ryerson University in Toronto and former director of the broadcast division of the School of Journalism. In 1993 Trent University named him the first Rooke Fellow for Teaching, Writing and Research. He has also been honored by: Nipissing University (EdD(H)); University of Windsor (Lld) and Trent University (DLH). Stuart served as Honorary Colonel of the 8th Air Maintenance Squadron at 8 Wing, Trenton from 2005 to 2008.

Since 1998 Stuart has taken The Vinyl Cafe to theatres across Canada, playing in both large and small towns from St. John's, Newfoundland to Whitehorse in the Yukon.

Close to one million people listen to The Vinyl Cafe every weekend on CBC Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio and on a growing number of Public Radio stations in the United States. The program is also broadcast on an occasional basis on the BBC.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
33(33%)
4 stars
36(36%)
3 stars
31(31%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Grim_Eyes
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is a 4.5 stars rating from me.

I truly adored each and every story within this collection. I found myself laughing out loud on numerous occasions, and at other times, I shed a few tears.

It's as if these stories capture life in words - the simplicity of it, the humor that can be found in the most ordinary of moments, and the endearing things that make life so special.

Some of the stories had such an impact that they made me reach out to my husband for an extra hug and kiss, while others left me daydreaming about my future family or reminiscing about the past.

It's not only a great read but also a quick one, which is a bonus. I'm eagerly looking forward to reading everything else that this talented author has to offer and catching the radio program from which these wonderful stories originated.

I have a feeling that there are many more heartwarming and entertaining tales waiting for me to discover.

Overall, this book has been a delight to read and has left a lasting impression on me.
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Z3DGE
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Love this series!

I have been a huge fan of this series from the very beginning. The storylines are captivating, the characters are well-developed and full of charm. Each book in the series takes me on a thrilling adventure, filled with excitement, mystery, and romance. The author has a unique way of creating a world that is both believable and enchanting. I find myself completely immersed in the story, unable to put the book down until I have reached the end. The attention to detail is remarkable, and it really makes the reading experience all the more enjoyable. I can't wait to see what the author has in store for us in the next installment of this amazing series. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good read.
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omega_blue
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Another book of collected stories from Stuart McLean’s iconic radio show is here. It chronicles the lives of Dave and Morley, their two children, and the happenings at the Vinyl Café. Dave’s used record store is billed as The World’s Smallest Record Store! Its slogan is “We may not be big, but we’re small!”

Using a wonderful blend of humour and pathos, McLean recounts stories that are highly relatable. These are the kind of stories that could happen to anyone. Well, maybe not all to one family! There are some hilarious laugh-out-loud stories. For instance, Dave tries to toilet train his cat, which leads to some truly comical situations. And then there’s the story of Dave installing an electrical outlet that somehow turns into a complete renovation of the place.

But it’s not all just humour. There are also heartwarming stories. One such story is about Dave’s relationship with his elderly neighbours. Their interactions are filled with kindness and understanding. Another heartwarming tale is about a mentor from Dave’s younger years. Any Vinyl Café book is definitely worthwhile reading, but this particular one contains some real gems that are sure to delight readers.
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echiraodareal
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I absolutely loved the humor that was present throughout this book. It was truly a delight to read. However, it is important to note that this book is so much more than just a source of laughter.

Fans of the Red Green Show will quickly understand that this book is a wonderful example of the Canadian perspective. It offers a unique and refreshing look at life from a Canadian point of view.

The stories in this book are relatable, touching, gentle, and charming. They have the ability to draw you in and make you feel as if you are a part of the characters' lives.

After reading this book, I am now on a mission to search for more of Stuart McLean's works. His writing is truly a treasure, and I can't wait to discover what other gems he has in store for his readers.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good laugh, a touching story, or a unique perspective on life. It is a must-read for fans of Canadian literature and anyone who is looking for a great book to add to their collection.
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portal88
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A perfect book to bring along on a vacation!

I can never focus long enough for long stories while on the beach. The distractions are just too many. But these stories are perfect! They are short, which means I can easily read one in a sitting. And they are totally sweet, filled with heartwarming moments and beautiful characters.

After reading each story, I always find myself appreciating the people around me much more. These stories have a way of making me realize the importance of the little things in life and the value of the relationships we have.

This book is a must-have for anyone who loves to read and wants to add a touch of sweetness to their vacation. It's the perfect companion for a day at the beach or a lazy afternoon by the pool. I highly recommend it!
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pospauro
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can help you.
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kasumi_imai
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Vinyl Café is a truly charming collection of stories that is based on the radio show by the late Stuart McLean.

The stories all center around Dave and Morley, along with their family and neighbors. This gives the collection a definite sense of cohesiveness.

I had never actually listened to the radio shows, but I was aware that many people did. Fortunately, a significant amount of the material from the radio broadcast is accessible for listening on Spotify. In fact, one of my absolute favorite episodes, titled “Odd Jobs”, is included in this book. If you have ever loved a man who has the ability to transform an odd job into a major project, or if you are such a man yourself, or have even helped a friend who has done that, then you must listen to that episode! You will not be disappointed.

The book commences with a story called “Arthur” that actually had me laughing out loud. Arthur is the family dog, and like any dog, he has a unique personality.

Although this book is classified as Humour, some of the stories will still tug at your heartstrings. I believe that for me, this was part of the real allure of the book. In life, there is always a mixture of joy and sorrow. They do not exist independently.

Seriously, though, if you haven't already, read or listen to “Odd Jobs” and “Arthur” because everyone can benefit from a good laugh every now and then.
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Shah_Studios
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I laughed so hard that my stomach ached.

Galway, my favourite place, always has something to offer that can bring out such intense joy in me.

Whether it's the lively streets filled with colorful shops and cafes, or the beautiful landscapes that seem to stretch on forever, Galway has a charm that is truly unique.

I remember one particular day when I was strolling through the city center. I came across a street performer doing the most hilarious antics. His jokes and physical comedy had the entire crowd in stitches, and I was no exception.

I laughed until tears were streaming down my face and my stomach felt like it was going to burst.

It was moments like these that made me fall in love with Galway all over again.

The city has this magical ability to make you forget all your worries and just enjoy the present moment.

And that's exactly what I did, laughing my heart out and creating memories that I will cherish forever.

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