Plaisirs Du Centre

"Reading a book is like re-writing it for yourself. . . . You bring to a novel, anything you read, all your experience of the world. You bring your history and you read it in your own terms."

~Angela Carter

The sun is shining today, the snow has completely melted and the weather is beautiful outside. With it finally beginning to feel more like Spring outside, Mum and I decided to do some downtown book shopping this afternoon.

We stopped off at one of our favourite bookstores which was once a beautiful Victorian home, complete with stained glass windows, original fixtures and a cobblestone walkway leading up to a stunning walnut door. The owners purchased this home a few years ago and have converted it into one of the most treasured bookstores in our area. The best way I can describe the home, its decor and surroundings is traditional elegance meets modern flair which is how it caters to, and why it is appreciated by, so many age groups.

This store specializes in all things Canadian: Canadian art books, cook books, poetry and fiction and with three floors you are always sure to find something. If you're really lucky the owner's cat, a gorgeous and very friendly Calico, will follow you around and fall asleep in your lap as you retreat to a cozy spot and curl up with a few books.

We decided to go with Canadian pastry chef Anna Olson's Sugar: Simple Sweets and Decadent Desserts, a must-have for all of you who can't leave the table after a meal without enjoying something sweet. Not only are her recipes simple to follow, but they are absolutely decadent and will leave you craving for more. This book is worth every penny even if you just flip through the pages and enjoy the photography. I'm already planning ahead as to what desserts I'll be making this summer! Mmmmm.....chocolate cake, meringues, fruit crisp.....how about a sample from each? And, if you're like me and watch the Food Network religiously, you can catch Sugar daily and create some of Anna's recipes for you and your family to enjoy!