Today I had the opportunity to visit the CBC building where the Top 5 Canada Reads authors and panelists were revealed.
First things first, when my colleagues and I walked into the beautiful building, they had a fantastic literary playlist playing and it was evident that the next hour and a half was going to be filled with all things books!
Then Jian Ghomeshi took the stage to fill the media and book lovers the way Canada Reads works and why it’s important to celebrate literature. He then continued to explain that CBC shook things up this time around and broke down their book selections by region. This is a format that I loved, but struggled with mostly because I’m drawn to both my Atlantic roots vs. my Ontario roots. In the end though, I decided that I’m going to read all the books and support what book speaks to me and let that be the winner. The same could be said for the competition in itself, because each panelist will be championing a book from their hometown and will have to prove their reasoning and argue for the book they’ve chosen.
If you haven’t heard the news, here are the books selected and the panelists that will be defending them in February 2013:
ATLANTIC REGION: Trent McClellan defends February by Lisa Moore
BRITISH COLUMBIA AND YUKON: Carol Huynh defends Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese
ONTARIO: Charlotte Gray defends Away by Jane Urquhart
PRAIRIES AND NORTH: Ron MacLean defends The Age of Hope by David Bergen
QUEBEC: Jay Baruchel defends Two Solitudes by Hugh MacLennan
So there you have it friends, the final 5 Canada Reads!
I look forward to reading all five and counting down the days until February 2013! If you’d like to watch Jian introduce the books and panelists on the Q, watch the video here.
November 29, 2012 at 11:35 pm
It’s an interesting mix of books this year – from old classics like Two Solitudes to more recent works like Age of Hope. The mix of presenters is always a treat – will be interesting to see what they come up with on the broadcast day.
Have you read any of them already? I’ve read Away and Two Solitudes, but will likely re-read. Away is one of my favourite books of all time, partially because I grew up in Cobourg, the area discussed in the book. Talk about regional loyalties divided!!
November 29, 2012 at 11:36 pm
It’s an interesting mix of books this year – from old classics like Two Solitudes to more recent works like Age of Hope. The mix of presenters is always a treat – will be interesting to see what they come up with on the broadcast day.
Have you read any of them already? I’ve read Away and Two Solitudes, but will likely re-read. Away is one of my favourite books of all time, partially because I grew up in Cobourg, the area discussed in the book. Talk about regional loyalties divided!!
November 29, 2012 at 11:39 pm
I read AWAY a long time ago, so I’ll be re-reading it and reading the other 4 as well! I’m really looking fwd to the debates because I was super impressed with the panelists today, I think they’ll all do a great job!
November 30, 2012 at 10:09 am
I loved “Away” when I read it years ago. I’d like to read the David Bergen.
November 30, 2012 at 10:11 am
That’s the only one I’ve read as well, but I’m going to reread it to refresh my memory.
Thanks for the comment
November 30, 2012 at 11:35 am
Just to clarify a little. I think the authors are from the defender’s province but the story is not necessarily. Indian Horse, for example, takes place primarily in Ontario and Manitoba. But what a great and diverse selection!
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