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Vinyl Cafe #1

Stories from the Vinyl Cafe

stuart mclean

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Book by McLean, Stuart

null pages, Hardcover

First published January 1,1995
Series
Vinyl Cafe

This edition

Format
null pages, Hardcover
Published
January 1, 1995 by Viking/Allen Lane
ISBN
9780670864768
ASIN
0670864765
Language
English

More editions

About the author

Profile Image for stuart mclean

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(3.9 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
34(34%)
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99 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Doro_Shroom
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Heartwarming, funny, and comforting short stories of life in small town Canada.

These Vinyl Cafe stories have a special charm that makes you feel as if you are coming home to a warm bowl of soup on a cold winter evening.

The characters in these stories are vivid and relatable, and the settings are描绘得栩栩如生, making you feel as if you are right there in the small town.

Whether it's a story about a family's holiday traditions, a neighbor's kindness, or a local event, each story has a unique message that will touch your heart and make you smile.

The Vinyl Cafe stories are a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and a reminder that there is still warmth and kindness in the world.

So, the next time you're feeling stressed or in need of a pick-me-up, curl up with a Vinyl Cafe story and let the magic of small town Canada wash over you.

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Kyougi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I picked this up after Stuart McLean passed away.

I have always been a huge fan of the Vinyl Cafe on the radio. His unique style, with that lilting tone, the perfectly timed pauses, and his warm and kind humour, was truly captivating. When I heard the news of his passing, I was devastated. I knew that we would never get to hear his voice on the radio again, and it felt like a part of my life had been taken away.

This is the reprint of the first Vinyl Cafe book, and it was the first one I ever read. I have to say, it was wonderful. As I read through the stories, I could almost "hear" McLean's voice in my head. It was like he was right there with me, telling the stories. Of course, like most fans, I would have loved to have more Dave and Morley stories in this volume. But that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the other stories. They were all well-written and engaging.

Thank you, Stuart McLean, for your service to Canadians. Your stories brought joy and laughter to so many people, and you will be deeply missed.
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Natsu24950
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Funny! This simple word holds a world of entertainment and amusement. It has the power to bring smiles to our faces, make us burst out laughing, and lighten our moods.


Funny can come in many forms. It could be a hilarious joke told by a friend, a comical scene in a movie or TV show, or a witty comment made during a conversation. It can also be found in the antics of animals, the absurdities of daily life, or the creativity of comedians.


No matter where it comes from, funny has a universal appeal. It transcends language, culture, and age, and has the ability to bring people together. When we share a funny moment with someone, we create a bond and a sense of connection.


So, the next time you hear or see something funny, don't hold back your laughter. Let yourself enjoy the moment and spread the joy to those around you. Because in a world that can sometimes be serious and stressful, a little bit of funny can go a long way.

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TrashDax
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Simple, charming and very humoured.

These are the qualities that make a person truly stand out. A simple lifestyle often leads to greater happiness and contentment. It allows us to focus on the important things in life and not get caught up in the chaos and complexity.

Charm, on the other hand, is a quality that can attract others to us. It is the ability to make people feel at ease and enjoy our company. A charming person has a certain grace and elegance that is hard to resist.

Finally, a good sense of humour is essential for a happy and fulfilling life. It allows us to laugh at ourselves and at the world around us. A humorous person can turn a difficult situation into a lighthearted one and bring joy to those around them.

In conclusion, being simple, charming and very humoured are qualities that we should all strive to possess. They can bring us greater happiness, attract others to us and make our lives more enjoyable.
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randomperson1
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Stuart McLean was a remarkable storyteller, and this collection of his short stories is truly a gem.

He was well-known for hosting the radio show, the Vinyl Cafe, which aired on CBC. His unique style and engaging narratives captured the hearts of many listeners.

Later, he also took his talent to the stage with live performances. I was fortunate enough to attend one of his shows when he came to town. It was an unforgettable experience.

What makes this collection special is that a significant number of the stories within it have not been recorded before. Moreover, the performances and recordings often omit the swearing that was present in the original books, resulting in a much more lighthearted and family-friendly experience when read by Stuart himself.

I have been a忠实 listener of the Vinyl Cafe for years, and to this day, I still find myself laughing out loud at all the wonderful stories. Stuart McLean's ability to bring characters and their tales to life is truly a gift, and this collection is a testament to his talent.

It's a must-have for any fan of great storytelling.
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apassador
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Goodreads recommended this to me because I'm reading Purity.

I'm quite certain that this book could not be any less similar to Purity if it's anything like the radio show.

I really don't know and I have no intention of reading it because that show is among the most boring things I've ever come across.

I couldn't care less about Dave and his dad jokes that are supposed to be witty commentary on Canadian life.

Boo.

(I'm not making any remarks about the quality of Purity because I've also become a bit bored with that, but for very different reasons.)

Perhaps the recommended book has its own unique charm and qualities that I'm missing out on by not giving it a chance.

However, based on my experience with the radio show, I'm just not interested.

Maybe in the future, I'll change my mind and give it a try, but for now, I'm content to stick with Purity and see where that takes me.

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Infectedc123
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Picked this up out of nostalgia.

I used to listen to Stuart McLean on CBC in the car with my parents while driving up and down from the farm. His voice and storytelling were such a great comfort.

When I started reading the book, at first I kind of imagined him reading it, but unfortunately, it's just not the same.

Some of the stories in the book made me laugh out loud, while others I thought hmm, didn't really need to read that.

It's definitely a low commitment read, and I almost exclusively read it on the subway.

"Canadiana day to day life anecdotes" sums it up perfectly.

Overall, it was an okay read, but it didn't quite capture the magic that Stuart McLean's voice and live storytelling had.

Maybe it's because when you listen to someone tell a story, you can pick up on their intonations, pauses, and expressions that add so much more to the narrative.

However, it was still nice to revisit some of his stories in written form and remember the good times I had listening to him on the radio.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Stuart McLean or enjoys reading about Canadian day to day life.

It's a quick and easy read that will leave you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart.

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VictoriaLoves
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is an easy read that you can enjoy right after finishing Pride and Prejudice. It's not only funny but also heartwarming, which makes it a great choice for those who are looking for a light and enjoyable book.

One of the things that I really love about this book is all the Canadian references. They add a unique flavor to the story and make it feel more relatable and familiar for those who are from Canada or have an interest in Canadian culture.

The characters in the book are also very well-developed and engaging. You'll find yourself rooting for them and getting emotionally invested in their stories.

Overall, this is a great book that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves a good romance or a lighthearted read. It's sure to put a smile on your face and warm your heart.
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