Here's a list of the top 20 novels set in Toronto that we put together via suggestions from our readers. When the question was first posed, the responses came in fast and furious — far more so than initially expected — and were quite varied. Along with CanLit giants like Margaret Atwood, Michael Ondaatje, Morley Callaghan and Timothy Findley, the list below shows off younger writers working in a wide range of genres. A rather well-known series of graphic novels and those written for young-adults are even represented (as they most definitely should be).

Dink quotes deserve dink headlines. So that's what Doug Ford gets for his latest comments regarding Toronto public libraries. When it was brought to his attention earlier today that Margaret Atwood has been campaigning on Twitter to prevent the closure of library branches, the mayor's older brother and Etobicoke North councillor delivered a gem that rivaled his Tim Horton's comment from last week:

Friday evening witnessed the launch of a limited edition print-run of Well & Good's latest e-book, A Face a Name. Hosted at the Baitshop, the event also served as the occasion for an art show featuring the work of Adrian Forrow, Cindy Blažević, Gene Pendon, Mediah, Pascal Paquette, and We Kill You (to name only a few). The book, which is $5.99 to download and $48 for the print collector's edition, features a lengthy series of profiles of Toronto and Montreal-based artists and cultural producers in their own words (for a list of those featured, check here).

It's an old story by now. Queen West just ain't what it used to be. First it was Bakka Books (now moved to Harbord Street), followed by places like the BamBoo, the 360 and, of course, Pages — all former mainstays on the strip. Most recently, the Sliver Snail announced that it'll be heading elsewhere sometime next year. Of these Queen West losses and defections (there are many more one could name), the latest might be the most telling because skyrocketing rent hasn't been cited as a major factor. According to Silver Snail manager George Zotti the street just doesn't feel like home anymore.

I try to keep pretty good tabs on Toronto-based book publications, especially those that relate to architecture and photography. But, inevitably, one manages to overlook certain titles that would make worthy additions to any collection of books about this city. Such is the case with the publications of Dominion Modern, the gallery space and Canadian architecture and design archive, which I'm somewhat ashamed to admit I only recently discovered.

As much as it's a cliche to say that one should avoid judging a book by its cover, in some instances this really isn't the worst practice - especially when the publisher's blurb reveals pretty much exactly what to expect from a particular title. Such is the case, I suspect, with the soon-to-be-released The Little Book of Rob Ford, published, almost unbelievably, by the once noble House of Anansi Press. CanLit fans will know this as the same press that brought us such classics as Margaret Atwood's Survival, Northrop Frye's The Bush Garden, and co-founder Dennis Lee's poetry (amongst other titles).