Tea. Toast. & Trivia.

S8 E2: Dave Astor On Books Keep Us CenteredIn a world that moves quickly, speaks loudly, and rarely pauses for reflection, books continue to offer something quietly radical: steadiness. They slow us down. They ask us to listen. They remind us that complexity has always existed and that human beings have long turned to stories, ideas, and language to make sense of it all.Today on Tea, Toast & Trivia, I’m delighted to welcome back Dave Astor for a thoughtful conversation about how books help keep us centred in uncertain times. This is not a discussion about reading lists or literary trends, but about reading as companionship, as a way of orienting ourselves when the world feels fragmented, overwhelming, or simply too fast.Together, we explore why books still matter, how reading creates inner stillness, and what happens when we give ourselves permission to step away from the noise and return to the page. It’s a conversation about humour, empathy, attention, and the deep human need for stories that help us li