INDIGO present their 2022 WRAPPED and more than ever before readers are craving Memoirs and Romance! Coming this month are new Memoirs from Prince Harry and Canada’s own Pamela Anderson.

Biographies were as popular as ever this past year as we’ve seen Canadians take a particular interest in peeling back the pages on the lives of celebrities, athletes, the royal family and more,” says Rania Husseini, Indigo Senior Vice President, Print. “We’re looking forward to another incredible year for this category, and for non-fiction overall. This month, along with Prince Harry’s book SPARE, Canadian authors like Humble the Poet continue to make their mark with exciting new releases, alongside debut authors like Monica Heisey, all of which support Canadians in their desire to access Canadian content.”

In addition to this, Indigo has compiled some eye-catching insights from its data team:

-A Rise in Romance: In the last two years, romance book sales have more than doubled, with TikTok driving increased interest.
-Biographies are Booming: Over the past five years, three biographies have been in the top 20 bestsellers across all categories, with two in the top five. Based on the success of past celebrity biographies, Indigo predicts 2023 will be the year of the biographies, because once they boom, they REALLY boom.

Year in Review: 2022 Indigo Wrapped

Don’t forget also to check-out some of INDIGO‘s most-anticipated Books of 2023 right here.

On Saturday, December 3, 2022, more than 800 guests converged at Toronto’s Beanfield Centre for Canada’s Walk of Fame Gala. The jewel event of the year, celebrating Canadian excellence and achievement, welcomed stars, philanthropists and business leaders to celebrate this year’s Inductees and Honourees during an unforgettable night of tributes and performances.

“It is an honour and privilege to bring together so many extraordinary Canadians and tell powerful stories that inspire us, connect us and remind us of why we love Canada,” said Jeffrey Latimer, CEO of Canada’s Walk of Fame. The evening began with star-studded arrivals on the Red Carpet, presented by Cadillac, where 2022 Inductees and Honourees, joined by their family and friends, each unveiled their commemorative star.

Following the red carpet, guests entered the grand ballroom for the 2022 Canada’s Walk of Fame Gala. Hosted by etalk’s Traci Melchor and iHeart Radio’s Jamar McNeil, the evening kicked off with a tribute to 2022 Inductee DEBORAH COX from a medley of Canadian powerhouse artists, including Grammy Award nominees Melanie Fiona and Glenn Lewis, JUNO-nominated James Baley and beloved drag performers Tynomi Banks and Jada Shada Hudson (Canada’s Drag Race), who delivered an electrifying performance of COX’ biggest hits. In addition, Los Angeles-based legendary music producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis flew to Toronto for the first time to present the songstress with her induction.

Also joining the celebration from south of the border was acclaimed American filmmaker and producer Joel Silver (Lethal Weapon, Die Hard), who was on hand to recognize the achievements of DIRECTOR X. Comedian Ronny Chieng (The Daily Show/Crazy Rich Asians) made a special trip to Toronto to pay tribute JUST FOR LAUGHS/JUSTE POUR RIRE. During his funny and powerful speech, Chieng praised the international comedy institution for inspiring him as a child growing up in Malaysia to pursue comedy as a career. Special tributes were also received from internationally renowned comedian Kevin Hart, The Tonight Show’s host, Jimmy Fallon, and 2009 Inductee Howie Mandel made a cameo as a hologram. Accepting for Just For Laughs/Juste pour rire were Bruce Hills, president of JFL and Charles Décarie, CEO and President of JFL Group.

Additional highlights include special appearances from past Inductees Helen Shaver (2004), who presented for awardwinning actor TATIANA MASLANY and Jason Priestley (2016) shared a video message for the ‘She-Hulk’ star. Poet and author Margaret Atwood (2001) returned to honour Canada’s most recognized literary advocate, HEATHER REISMAN, who also received a very personal and heartwarming bespoke poem from Ontario Poet Laureate, Randell Adjei, and award-winning singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie (1998) recognized THE TRAGICALLY HIP for their social and environmental pursuits. In lieu of a Gala last year, some of the 2021 Inductees were also in attendance, including Jully Black, Ajay Virmani, Bob Banting and Melinda Best, who attended on behalf of the late Frederick Banting and Charles Best – researchers who co-discovered insulin over 100 years ago along with 2021 Inductees John
Macleod, and James Collip, and Graham Greene who took to the stage for a special land acknowledgement.

Peter Mansbridge, Amanda Lang and Lisa LaFlamme were there to honour legendary broadcaster BARBARA FRUM. Barbara’s children Linda Frum Former Senator of Canada, and David Frum, social and political commentator, accepted the induction on behalf of their late mother.

Olympic medalist Andre De Grasse took to the stage to acknowledge the late LIONEL CONACHER as an inspiration in his career. Also on hand to pay tribute to the greatest all-around athlete were multiple generations of Conachers, including his grandson Lionel Conacher and great-grandchild Chas Conacher who gave a moving speech about his great-grandfather’s legacy.

The 2022 Canada’s Walk of Fame Honourees were also on hand to accept their award, including this year’s National Hero Honour recipient, renewable power entrepreneur, philanthropist and steadfast supporter of Ukraine, JAMES TEMERTY, and acclaimed band ARKELLS who accepted as the 2022 Allan Slaight Music Impact Honourees.

During the gala presentation, the spotlight also recognized future great achievers from Canada’s Walk of Fame ancillary programs, including the organization’s Community Heroes, presented by MLSE and Scotiabank, environmentalist Stella Bowles (2018), humanitarian Abhayjeet Singh Sachal (2019), women’s rights advocate Aditi Sivakumar (2020), and mental health activist Rabiah Dhaliwal (2021). These young Canadians under 30 positively influence the lives of others and make a profound impact in their communities and beyond. Blind music producer, recording artist and grand prize winner of the 2022 Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program, MATTMAC stunned the audience with an original performance. The Garden Hill First Nation native was joined on stage by Indigenous youth dancers from across the country who are part of the Outside Looking In program.

Among the notable guests included former Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper, The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, one of Canada’s most iconic sports figures and 2017 Inductee, Donovan Bailey, Canadian singer-songwriter and 2018 Inductee, Andy Kim, and 2019 Inductee Gil Moore of Canadian power trio Triumph. Yuliya Kovaliv, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Canada, was also in attendance and read a special message from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to celebrate James Temerty’s National Hero Honour.

Toronto-based troubadour Donovan Woods capped off the evening’s celebration with a cover of The Tragically Hip’s “Ahead by Century.”

 CELEBRATING GREATNESS: CANADA’S WALK OF FAME 2022, airs Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 7 p.m. ET on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app. 

(Photo credit: George Pimentel/Canada’s Walk of Fame)

Is it a coincidence that so many of our recent favourites on TV and the Big Screen were inspired by Books? Canada’s favourite Book Store INDIGO is celebrating PAGE-TO-SCREEN right now. This Summer alone, THE SUMMER IN TURNED PRETTY (Jenny Han) and HEARTSTOPPER (Alice Oseman) had audiences falling in-love!

And coming this Fall are the likes of THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER (J.R.R. Tolkien) and HOUSE OF THE DRAGON (George R.R. Martin) are poised to break streaming records! You’ve got some time to get caught-up in anticipation of these arrivals!

TIFF ’22 also is just around the corner did you know that Festival selections like My Policeman, Black Ice, Butcher’s Crossing, The Greatest Beer Run Ever and The Hummingbird all were based on Books! MY POLICEMAN already has won an Ensemble Performance Award which Emma Corrin and Harry Styles will be in-town to accept, if this is any indication of Awards Season success!

See some titles here featured as part of Indigo‘s PAGE-TO-SCREEN celebrations.

Vancouver-born Avan Jogia, star of Victorious, Shaft and Twisted, returned home to Canada this weekend, but not for his acting! Hosted by Indigo Bay-Bloor, Jogia visited Toronto for a signing of his Poetry Book, Mixed Feelings.

The Book which among other things, speaks to his identity being bi-racial. His right-hand man and brother Ketan Jogia joins him on the tour, which saw his family come out to support him as he read selections from the publication. The brothers also are known as Music Duo, Saint Ivory.

They were in and out for a quick minute and are onto the next stop of their whirlwind tour!

See our Snaps:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

So nice meeting #AvanJogia, star of #Victorious, #Shaft, #Twisted + more! He was here for a signing for his Poetry Book, #MixedFeelings which among other things, speaks to his identity being bi-racial. Loved meeting his right-hand man #KetanJogia whom together they are known as Music Duo, #SaintIvory. #HuaweiP30Pro

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 29, 2019 at 7:47am PDT

More on MIXED FEELINGS here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Grammy-nominated Pop Duo TEGAN & SARA got a warm welcome home to Canada today. Indigo Bay & Bloor hosted the pair today for an In-Conversation this afternoon. The Hitmakers talked about their new Memoir, High School, which talks  about by their origins in Calgary, to becoming an internationally-recognized Pop Outfit. Anne T. Donahue moderated the fully-packed chat.

We ran into the Duo having dinner together at Canteena on King Street and they were nice enough to stop for a quick Snap! I’ve been unlucky getting the Selfie in previous years, but today was my lucky day!

See our Snap:

More on HIGH SCHOOL here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Canadian Actress and Author EvangelineL returns home for a special fan event at Indigo Manulife Centre for her latest children’s book, The Squickerwonkers Act 1: The Demise of Selma the Spoiled. She has spent the past seven years planning the series of twenty children’s books.

The mother of two kids, eight and three, describes her Series as “Cautionary tales for modern day brats. Things end badly for all my characters because in life no matter how good you are, things are go sideway. Those lessons are really important.”.

On her plans to develop these books into a Movie, Lilly says “My dream is to see #Squickerwonkers in a stop-motion live action animation movie with Marionette puppets. I’m developing a package about that.”.

More on the Book here.

See some Snaps:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Two-time Academy Award winner and Film/Television icon Sally Field made a rare visit to Toronto tonight. While she undisputedly is a star of the screen having starred in classics like Steel Magnolias, Mrs. Doubtfire, Matters of the Heart and Norma Jean, she visits to promote her Memoir, IN PIECES. The Book is a culmination of seven years’ worth of writing without the intention of her words ever been seen. Field appeared before an intimate audience at Indigo Manulife Centre  in a conversation moderated by Indigo Chapters Chair & CEO Heather Reisman.

She reveals that following the passing of her mother Margaret Field back in 2011, something had been bothering her and the writings that would become this Book, were an opportunity for her finally to understand her mother. “I had do find out what was gnawing on me, so I pulled out all the pieces and put them on the table to see if I could put together something I couldn’t see before. I didn’t even know the question I was asking.”. Fields adds, “It was something terribly unsettling. Where am I going and the whole time never thinking it was a book that would be accomplished or anyone else looking at it but me. In those seven years, I focused and it became an obsession to learn a new craft.  To learn through some of the tools and techniques I had learned to be an actor that I applied in trying to learn this extraordinary world of words that I’ve always been in profound awe of.”.  She compiled letters and unread reviews as long as 40 years ago and putting her story together. “Don’t throw it away”, she told herself, “Some day you’ll want to piece yourself together and you’ll need this piece to do it.”.

The Book touches upon candidly, her talent and drive always to be better as an Actress. At 72 years of age, she still is mastering her craft, set to take the stage at London’s Old Vic in the new year. Courageously she talks about having endured abusive relationships with partners and her stepfather. Field says, “I wrote this seven years ago, long before #METOO. I think it’s spectacular and I hope that we keep going on to see what happens on the other side of rage and outage. My attempt was to look how at these childhood patterns that get so ingrained in you that they lead you for the rest of your life.”. “All of us as adults, our task is to understand what those childhood patterns were, whether we came from an abusive, traumatic childhood or what we thought was a nice childhood. We have to try to to detanglize, get it out of the way and leave it there so that we can move on as adults.”.

On her stepfather, she recalls “I was terrified to be swept off the ground by a man I didn’t know. He was loud and boisterous. And laughed at my face in a jovial way. As a tiny child even then I could hear the unspoken dialogue. Mom would be, ‘Don’t you cry. I need you to like him. I need this to work out well’. And he needed me to be in his arms. Everyone was looking at me and paying attention to me, especially when my own dad treated me like I didn’t exist.”. “Even as a tiny child, I was taught conflicting emotions at the same time. Danger and love – they get wired together so that the only way I could identify being loved was feeling threatened.”.

See some Snaps below. Tap left and right arrows to navigate slideshow:

Only about 200 fans were lucky enough to meet Field who in addition to signing copies of her Book, took her time graciously chatting with every single one of her fans and taking photos with them.

More on the Memoir here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

His acclaimed work has won him accolades over the past three decades, winning him Emmys, Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards.  With a #1 Film at the Box Office two consecutive weeks in The Boss Baby, dethroning Beauty and the Beast, Alec Baldwin has been at the forefront of collective consciousness of late with his running impression on  Saturday Night Live of President Donald Trump.

Baldwin reflects upon his success in brand new HarperCollins memoir NEVERTHELESS and the book brought him to Toronto tonight – albeit a bit late – bringing him face to face with fans and Indigo‘s Manulife Centre location.  Rushing-in from the airport tonight after some flight delays which saw him landing just at his book signing was to start at 6 PM, Baldwin had to by-pass an originally scheduled pre-signing Q&A, going straight into a rapid-fire signing with fans.

NEVERTHELESS goes into detail about his parents’ troubled relationship to his struggles with addiction and several other of personal battles. As Baldwin‘s book tour takes him to additional cities including Chicago next, he took the time to post online some clarifications regarding his book, explaining that there were some issues with “typos and errors” in a statement made on its Facebook page here.

While much talked about and well-promoted by the amazing Chapters Indigo, some of the 300 wristbands made available for fans surprisingly were still available at the start of the event. Perhaps a strict list of stipulations (or a Bon Jovi concert running in tandem) at the request of the talent had some sway on the turnout?  Rules like no posed photography nor photography of Baldwin from the stage were communicated in advance, which later applied too to fans waiting behind barricades far enough away from the stage, at the whim of event security.   Despite access not being opened to media on the promise of a more intimate experience with fans,  rows of fans were ushered through at a hurried pace without a real chance to connect with the talent. Perhaps this should serve as a reminder to talent that book signings should  be about utilizing these opportunities to really connect with fans and supporters?  Have fan expectations in this day and age gone beyond just simply the scribble of a non-personalized autograph at these events?  While respect and appreciation must go to the talent – and it was a great honour being in Baldwin‘s presence –  fans also often put aside an entire day to queue for wristbands and re-queue again for a spot at these signings.

See some snaps of Baldwin (click on right arrow to scroll):

#AlecBaldwin a bit late, but made it in town for rapidfire signing in support memoir #Nevertheless at Indigo Manulife.

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Apr 10, 2017 at 6:10pm PDT

More on NEVERTHELESS here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

No rise has been quite as stratospheric as that of Lilly Singh, known online for her moniker IISuperwomanII, entertaining millions around the world on YouTube with her humorous short films, garnering several famous fans including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Hailing from Scarborough, but now residing in Los Angeles, Singh at age 28 came out of nowhere and kept rising to be known as the world’s highest-paid female YouTube Filmmaker, also ranking as the world’s third highest-paid YouTube star according to Forbes.

In town to promote her first book, an empowering self-help read HOW TO BE A BAWSE: A GUIDE TO CONQUERING LIFE, published by Doubleday Canada, Singh also took her tour to Toronto’s TIFF Bell Lightbox Wednesday night, before earning well-deserved day of rest.  Today she was back at it promoting her book including visits to Bell Media’s Headquarters and Global Television’s The Morning Show.

In case you missed her, you will have a chance to catch her at Chapters Brampton this Saturday afternoon at 2:00 PM, where she will meet a limited number of fans. More details here.

We’ve been wanting to meet Singh for a while now and really enjoyed the fast read that was HOW TO BE A BAWSE! It’s literally like reading advice from a friend and we love that many Toronto-related shoutouts she gives from our horrid winter weather to KISS 92.5 and her love for Drake. Despite it being literally freezing out, Singh, armed with a blanket and umbrella, was sweet to stop for a snap! More on it here.

See our Snap:

Mornings with IISuperwomanII, back to her hometown for her new book, How to be a Bawse! #LillySingh #iisuperwomanii #BawseBook #BawseTour

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Apr 7, 2017 at 6:06am PDT

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Doubleday Canada)

Rock icon Bruce Springsteen was in Toronto today for a super-rare appearance, treating 600 fans to chance to meet him at Indigo Manulife Centre in celebration of his new memoir, BORN TO RUN.

Released in September, the book recalls his journey as an aspiring musician after seeing Elvis perform on the Ed Sullivan Show. Springsteen, known best for the book’s titular hit, Born in the U.S.A., I’m on Fire, Dancing in the Dark and Glory Days, began writing the Memoir after his appearance with the E Street Band at then 2009 Super Bowl Halftime Show. It is said to be personal, philosophical, funny and enlightening like his Music.

Despite being scheduled to appear at 1 PM, he arrived an hour early for Fans who snatched up tickets to the event, selling out in minutes a few days ago.

See some Snaps:

The Boss #BruceSpringsteen in Toronto for memoir, #BornToRun.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Oct 27, 2016 at 11:12am PDT

The Boss, #BruceSpringsteen in Toronto today for memoir, #BornToRun.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Oct 27, 2016 at 11:09am PDT

More on BORN TO RUN here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)