Culture

Even if you’re not a romantic at heart, the warmer temperatures of Spring 2016 offer a perfect opportunity to swap your informative non-fiction reads for lighthearted alternatives. As we prepare for sunny afternoons in the park and the official season of spring flings, we’ve curated a roundup of a few top titles which are filled with lust and intrigue.

For photography buffs in the Toronto area, the annual Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival officially launched on May 1 and officially runs until May 31. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the annual festival, which features the works of Canadian and international artists, documentary photographers and photojournalists.

For music aficionados who are waiting for the perfect escape without having to leave town, Canadian Music Week is set to hit Toronto from May 2-8. Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s festivities.

Whether you’re an avid gardener or an aspiring green thumb, the arrival of spring offers a perfect opportunity to refresh your property with gorgeous blooms. We’ve curated our roundup of new gardening titles, which just may inspire your to craft a breathtaking garden oasis right in your own backyard.

For Canuck documentary lovers who are looking to catch the latest films, the Canadian International Documentary Festival opens today in Toronto and runs until May 8. Most commonly known as Hot Docs, the annual event describes itself as North America’s largest documentary festival, and claims to present over 200 Canadian and international films.

The First Monday In May is a documentary that gives you a behind the scenes look at the year leading up to the event, and what it takes to get everything ready. It also brings up the long running debate on whether or not fashion should be considered art, and puts a pretty convincing argument towards why it should be.

Whether you’re embarking on a global journey or shooting artistic images in your hometown, try escaping into a new read which can help you master your art. Here’s Real Style’s roundup of newly released photography books for Spring 2016.

If you’re lacking motivation this spring and looking for the perfect read to help you regain your positive attitude, one of the season’s latest self-help titles may be a solution. Whether you want to set goals or improve your career skills, we’ve curated a roundup of helpful new tomes to pick up now.

For local film buffs who are looking for an escape into the small screen, the annual Images Festival will hit Toronto from April 14 to April 23. Founded by the Northern Visions Collective in 1987, the interdisciplinary arts event celebrates its 29th anniversary this year.

If you are looking for a respite from a hectic, busy life and wish you had more time to think and explore the world around you, The Wander Society might just be able to help. The only problem is you need to find them first. Thankfully author Keri Smith (who wrote the best selling book Wreck This Journal) has done all the leg work and gathered all of her research in one place. Her book The Wander Society will give you something to think about, and maybe even help you find the time to do it.

If you’re a beauty lover who is looking forward to brushing up on your makeup skills as well as your knowledge of the industry, this spring just may offer you a few perfect reading materials. Whether your secret passion is at-home spa treatments or beauty tutorials, we’ve curated a round-up of new books to pick up this season.

Whether you’re planning to discover South America or simply explore North America for a local getaway, try flipping open a perfect read this season to satisfy your inner adventurer. As travel lovers begin planning their spring and summer journeys, we’ve curated a list of four titles to escape into now.

As fashionistas prepare to update their spring wardrobes, it’s also a smart and stylish idea to revamp your home library with a collection of chic reads. Whether you’re in the mood for a closer glimpse at the works of designer Isaac Mizrahi or inspired by the stunning designs at Gucci, here are a few must-read titles to pick up now.

As we step into April, book lovers can look forward to updating their home libraries with an array of new fiction releases which are set to make a splash this month. Whether you prefer tales of intrigue or mystery, we’ve curated a roundup of upcoming books to add to your ever-growing collection in the weeks ahead.

Canadian author Lawrence Hill first won Canada Reads, the annual CBC battle of the books competition, in 2009 when his novel The Book of Negroes was championed by Avi Lewis. The successful novel of course also went on to also become an award winning limited series on CBC TV. Now his latest book, The Illegal, has made him a winner again.