As part of the always interesting (and now delicious) This Is Not A Reading Series, U of T history professor Steve Penfold and noted food writer Christine Sismondo are joining forces this week to discuss snack food patriotism and Canada’s unofficial deep-fried culinary icon, the donut. All this in celebration of Penfold’s new book, The Donut: A Canadian History.

The 256-page hardcover study “examines the history of the donut in light of broader social, economic, and cultural issues.” And who would want to examine the broader social, economic or cultural issues of anything without simultaneously eating it? Not us. So the event organizers are mercifully providing us with the confectionery delights of honour for free. Exclamation mark!

In return for this gesture of good will, it's only right that you join up with your fellow man to learn about the donut’s place in our national identity. This Tuesday at the Gladstone, that place will be in our stomachs. 7 p.m.!