This year's Canada Reads Battle of the Books runs from February 26th to March 2nd. Five books, thousands of Canadian readers from sea-to-sea-to sea and five esteemed panelists gather together in the literary boxing ring to debate and argue over which book all Canadians should read. Which book will be this year’s winner?
The five contending titles are selected by a group of celebrity panelists, who in turn, have been handpicked by CBC Radio One producers. The titles of the chosen books are announced to the public in advance of the contest so that readers across Canada have the opportunity to read each one. The books are available in libraries (including the CNIB Library for the Blind) and bookstores across Canada. This year’s titles, all in trade paperback editions are:
Children of My Heart (Ces Enfants de ma vie) translated by Alan Brown, by Gabrielle Roy
Lullabies for Little Criminals: by Heather O'Neill
Natasha and Other Stories by David Bezmozgis
Stanley Park by Timothy Taylor
The Song of Kahunsha by Anosh Irani
Well loved radio broadcaster, humorist and writer Bill Richardson will host Canada Reads for the fourth year in a row.
The 2007 “All star Edition” of Canada Reads brings together a group of celebrity panelists who have all felt the thrill of victory. Each has argued a book to first place in past years. They are:
Steven Page, lead singer Barenaked Ladies.
Denise Bombardier, journalist and novelist from Quebec
Jim Cuddy, lead singer Blue Rodeo. Up for two Juno nominations to be announced April 1, 2007.
Donna Morrissey, novelist from Newfoundland.
John K. Samson, singer, song-songwriter The Weakerthans
Interested in putting in your two cents worth? Visit Your Say.
Tune into CBC Radio One beginning February 26th, 2007 at 11:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. to hear the debate.
Past Titles and Winners:
2006 Winner: A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews
2005 Winner: Beautiful Losers by Leonard Cohen
2005 Titles:
- Beautiful Losers by Leonard Cohen
- Rockbound by Frank Parker Day
- Volkswagen Blues by Jacques Poulin
- No Crystal Stair by Mairuth Sarsfield
- Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
2004 Winner: Rockbound by Frank Parker Day
2004 Titles:
- The Last Crossing by Guy Vanderhaeghe
- The Love of a Good Woman by Alice Munro
- Barney's Version by Mordecai Richler
- Green Grass, Running Water by Thomas King
- The Heart is an Involuntary Muscle by Monique Proulx
Communities all across Canada will host Canada Reads events. See the Canada Reads website for details of events in your community.
