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122nd out of 168 books
—
17 voters
Home From The Vinyl Cafe: A Year Of Stories
Welcome to the world of the Vinyl Cafe. Meet Dave, the proud owner of the world's smallest record store. Meet his pal, Kenny Wong, who runs Wong's Scottish Meat Pies. Meet Dave's wife and their children. Watch while they all bump and stumble through a hilarious year of mistakes, miscues, misunderstandings, and muddle.
The adventures begin in December with Dave's disastrous
...more
Published
(first published January 1st 1998)
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These stories made me simply, deeply happy.
"To be that close to a face with that look is something that you never forget. She was sitting on the couch talking to Michael when she noticed that his glasses had begun to fog up - for no apparent reason - and he seemed to be out of breath. Which struck her as peculiar, because he wasn't moving. He was just sitting there with his arm around her shoulders. She wasn't sure how it got there. Then she realized his face, with that faraway look, was moving...more
"To be that close to a face with that look is something that you never forget. She was sitting on the couch talking to Michael when she noticed that his glasses had begun to fog up - for no apparent reason - and he seemed to be out of breath. Which struck her as peculiar, because he wasn't moving. He was just sitting there with his arm around her shoulders. She wasn't sure how it got there. Then she realized his face, with that faraway look, was moving...more
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I got this book for Christmas and had several other books in line ahead of it. When I started it, it seemed a little dry and difficult to get into. However, once I had read a few chapters and became acquainted with the characters it was a very fun, lighthearted read. The four family members each have their own unique personalities and each chapter tells the story of some quirky incident that one or all of the family members are involved in, and include many flashbacks that are interesting and ad...more
This book happened into my life in an almost serendipitous way. I was at Goodwill looking through the paperbacks. Already holding three books, I was in desperate need for a fourth book (as it is .59 cents a book or 4 for .99 cents). Anything would do, so I happened upon Home from the Vinyl Cafe by Stuart McLean. Good length, portable size, interesting cover art. So I shelved it and thought nothing more. Until, I picked it up about three weeks ago and, boy, was it amazing! Home from the Vinyl Caf...more
Sometimes you never know what you might find in the bargain bin. I grabbed this about a year ago because I liked the title (shallow, I know). Motivated by my personal history as an obsessive LP collector I was lured to the "Vinyl Cafe" for whatever stories were available. Turns out, Stuart McLean is Canada's answer to Garrison Keilor. The book is loaded with heartwarming short stories that are all centered around a single family facing many of the same life challenges we all experience, only it...more
I can see why Stuart McLean is one of Canada's beloved storytellers through the warmth, humanity and humor of his stories. My favorite stories came early in the book, one of them being "Turkey" which starts off both the book and the Winter section. The description of the turkey before it was roasted had me and my husband howling with laughter. Another favorite is the one about the birthday party, especially the scene where Dave tries to frost the cake while it is still warm. My husband recently...more
May 12, 2012
Carol
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
canadian-books,
humour
The cover of this paperback mentions that Stuart McLean is the winner of the Stephen Leacock award for humour. After reading this book, I can see why.
I’m not a huge radio listener, but I have listened to Stuart McLean’s show “Vinyl Café” a few times. I recall driving on Saturday mornings to my Tai Chi class and listening to “Dave Cooks the Turkey.”
I think that one of McLean’s strengths is his understanding of human weakness. Dave is constantly making mistakes – sometimes even really dumb mistake...more
I’m not a huge radio listener, but I have listened to Stuart McLean’s show “Vinyl Café” a few times. I recall driving on Saturday mornings to my Tai Chi class and listening to “Dave Cooks the Turkey.”
I think that one of McLean’s strengths is his understanding of human weakness. Dave is constantly making mistakes – sometimes even really dumb mistake...more
I have "Polly Anderson's Christmas Party" on a holiday CD, and it took me several years to think to look up the storyteller. From there it took me a few hours to get my hands on one of his books, which coincidentally has that very story in it. These are great fun, the kind of domestic humor you can relate to precisely BECAUSE it's all a little over the top. I think my favorite story is Burd, although the funniest one is when Dave cooks the turkey. I'm referring here to my favorites from the ones...more
a collection of stories about dave, owner of the vinyl cafe record store, and his family. i first read the equally fantastic vinyl cafe unplugged a couple of years ago and just this weekend happily discovered that there are actually a bunch vinyl cafe books! the stories are funny and endearing; i smiled through the whole book (and laughed out loud a few times on the metro). i love all of the characters, including their pets, the neighbors, emil the gardening homeless man, and kenny wong purveyor...more
When I decided to start up a “52 books in 52 weeks” challenge for myself, I headed on over to the good folks at La Maison Anglaise, Québec City’s premier English-language bookstore, for a savvy recommendation which would ween me back into the joys of reading. For you see, it’s not without a certain amount of shame that I have not regularly read since university. So, as you may gather, I have some catching up to do and some habits to re-grow.
So I was suggested that CBC host Stuart McLean’s Home F...more
So I was suggested that CBC host Stuart McLean’s Home F...more
Jan 27, 2008
Willie
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
people who like short sentences
I had a gift certificate at a local bookstore, and so picked this up pretty randomly. The author has been compared to Garrison Keillor, which sounded promising, but I've been pretty disappointed.
It's a series of stories about a family and (sometimes) their record store, and I thought it'd be some pleasant and diverting light reading, but it ends up feeling a lot like a mediocre sit-com or a bad Ben Stiller movie (as opposed to what other kind he makes, I don't know...).
The first story was hecti...more
It's a series of stories about a family and (sometimes) their record store, and I thought it'd be some pleasant and diverting light reading, but it ends up feeling a lot like a mediocre sit-com or a bad Ben Stiller movie (as opposed to what other kind he makes, I don't know...).
The first story was hecti...more
Love vinyl cafe and love Dave. Best line of the book about his 16 yr old daughter, "she was mad about something- mostly nervous probably. Dave looked at her across the table, scowling into her cereal bowl, and his heart went out to the boys into whose lives his daughter was about to march. Somewhere, he thought, some poor kid who has no idea what is heading his way is calmly eating breakfast.". Ha. McLean makes me laugh out loud and want to cry at the same time. What more can you ask for in a bo...more
Nowhere near as good as "Vinyl Cafe Unplugged" but still had some good moments. There were fewer laugh out loud bits but they were there. The best stories were "Be-Bop-A-Lula," "Burd," "On The Roof," and "Polly Anderson's Christmas Party." I think there are two other books in this series, but unfortunately my local library system doesn't have them. I'm going to have to get creative here...
Stuart McLean knows how to tell a funny story. This book is a quick read that contains many laughs about a whole range of topics. The author uses a conversational style of writing, everyday events, and his cast of characters to create some excellent comedy. I realized, halfway through the book that some of the stories felt familiar, I must have heard them on CBC.
Aug 01, 2009
Matt McNabb
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
on-my-bookshelf-at-home
I enjoy the radio program when I have a chance to listen. Hearing the stories (I had not heard any of these prior to reading them) and reading them, two different undertakings. The background and side trips into the periphery distract from the overall story, at least in the written form. But still, I do like the short stories, good, bad or otherwise.
B and I read a bunch of stories from this book over Christmas. We didn't actually read all the stories - but I felt I should add it to my list. These stories are hilarious! Especially the ones about Christmas. "Dave cooks the turkey" is just great! Listening to the stories is an even better way to go - since McLean has a great Canadian accent.
These stories are really easy to read and are quite funny. Some of them aren't so realistic, but are still quite enjoyable. The author has written quite a few collections and I think if I were to read any more right now I would probably overdose, but they are good for a fun, light read.
I enjoyed this book. It made me laugh out loud with its sincere re-telling of everyday stories. I don't always love the way McLean introduces his stories and connects different characters. On the second page I found myself so confused, and for such a simple concept it made me feel rather stupid. I do recommend this book for a lighthearted read.
If you're in the mood for light humour told by Canadian, Stuart McLean, about his family while living in Canada, then you might enjoy this collection of short stories. The differences between our northern neighbors and us are few and sometimes very funny.
Lovely cameo's of life, written with humour and human insight. Every story yet different again, whereas the main characters remain the same and they read like peaks into their lives and the cementing as well as continuation of their lives together....
I rarely laugh out loud when I am reading but luckily there is a book to cure me of that. Home from the Vinyl Cafe has my favourite story featuring Dave and Morley and their family - its the last one in this collection "Polly Anderson's Christmas Party".
I always enjoy the stories of Stuart McLean, though I usually prefer to hear them read by the author. I love that I can easily sit down and read a quick story between chores, or while waiting to pick up a child. This particular compilation isn't my favourite, but still a good one.
This book was my introduction to the whole series. I am now hooked. The believable ways that Dave does all he does, coupled with Stuart Mclean's incredible story telling make this book a cheer-me up, pick-me up, cuddle in kind of book
Very similar in feel to Garrison Keillor. Amiable but not exactly any surprises and for some reason I never quite got into it. However I did read it in 1 day starting on the train journey into London and finished it before I went to sleep!
I found this book to be enjoyable to read and I recommend everyone to read it. It is full of funny little stories that will make you smile. This will sure to be a favorite that you will want to read again and again!
The guy's an incompetent doofus, his wife's a vengeful, overly critical b***h with a ridiculous name, and his kids are by turns moronic and ungrateful.
There. Saved you 272 pages of torture.
There. Saved you 272 pages of torture.
I have the audio versions of all of Stuart McLean's books. To hear him reading his stories makes them real. He is a fabulous story teller, no question. I laugh and cry and laugh again. I love him.
I find Stuart McLean to be a very funny man. I love his audio books SO much - he has sia own delivery techniques. In MY opinion, this makes Lake Wobegone rather dreary and pedestrian.
I love Stuart Maclean's stories, but it's so much funnier hearing him tell them than read them. Although when I read them, I realize what a really good short story writer he is!
I had to read this book listening to it in my head as if Garrison Keillor were reading it. For some reason I can't stand to listen to Stuart McLean talk. Fun Canadian stories.
I love a book that makes you laugh out loud. I don't always get to hear The Vinyl Cafe on the radio, but I hear Stuart McLean's voice when I read the stories.
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From the Vinyl Cafe web site: Stuart McLean is 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 Mor...more
More about Stuart McLean...
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 Mor...more
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