Canada Reads

So we work with four other local libraries, Springwater, Clearview, Meaford, and Wasaga Beach.

And it really functions like Canada Reads, which a lot more people are familiar with.

But essentially, each library has a representative that picks a Canadian title that they've loved this year.

And we defend our literacy to the bitter end.

I don't know.

She was on Canada Reads like really early on.

First, yes, that's

big.

But his fame comes from his fiction.

His debut novel, American War, which by the way was defended by Tom O'Penickett on Canada Reads back in 2018, was a chilling exploration of a second American Civil War.

And his follow-up, What Strange Paradise, which won the 2021 Giller Prize and was defended by Tariq Hadhad on Canada Reads in 2022, tackled the global refugee crisis through the eyes of a child.

Right.

He has spent his career using fiction to warn society about the consequences of its apathy.

Uh, a profoundly significant piece of visual literature.

It actually won Canada Reads in 2023.

And it was one of former President Barack Obama's favorite books of 2022.

That's a huge endorsement.

It is a literary heavyweight.

It won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize, it won Canada Reads, and it is a massive, sweeping historical epic.

The scope of the novel is staggering.

It follows the life of a woman named Aminata Diallo.

Mm

... was just on Canada Reads.

Yeah.

And Sara-

One-

... was on Canada Reads, like, a decade ago

... one Canada Reads.

Yeah.

Yes.

Pretty important book to us here at CBC Books, because it was on our Canada Reads show.

So g- I don't know if you know this, Taylor, but [laughs] like only in Canada will there be a TV show, and it's a reality show, where five people pick a book and then they fight it off and get voted off the island.

Yeah.

It's- [laughs]

That's amazing.

It's called Canada Reads, and she's an iconic, uh, Canadian author, obviously, Emily St. John Mandel.

But yes, it's a great show.

Thank you for having me.

So this book is coming off the success of the short story collection, Shut Up, You're Pretty, that was on Canada Reads in 2024.

That was a big hit.

But I've heard you say before that despite the success of that book, this is the book that's making you feel like you can say you're a writer.

I'm your host, Genevieve Micheletti, and we are officially entering our fight club era.

If you thought Canada Reads was too chummy, then prepare for Calgary Listens.

[laughs]

Here with me today, we have Nicole Labonté and Chris...