CBC’s great Canadian book debate, CANADA READS, returns for its 21st edition, Monday, March 28 through Thursday, March 31. Hosted by Ali Hassan, a panel of celebrity advocates will champion Canadian books that speak to the theme, “One Book to Connect Us.” The CANADA READS 2022 debates will broadcast each day at 11 a.m. (1 AT, 1:30 NT) on CBC Radio One and 1 p.m. ET ( 2 AT, 2:30 NT) on CBC TV and CBC Gem, and stream live at 11 a.m. ET (8 a.m. PT) on CBC Listen and CBCbooks.ca. Each day of the competition, one book will be eliminated by the panellists until a winner is declared the must-read book for Canadians in 2022.
The five books to be debated and their champions for CANADA READS 2022 are:
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Washington Black (Patrick Crean Editions, an imprint of HarperCollins Canada) by Esi Edugyan, to be championed by Olympian and LGBTQ2+ advocate, Mark Tewksbury
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What Strange Paradise (McClelland & Stewart, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada) by Omar El Akkad, to be championed by entrepreneur and former Syrian refugee, Tareq Hadhad
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Five Little Indians (Harper Perennial, an imprint of HarperCollins Canada) by Michelle Good, to be championed by Ojibway journalist and Vogue fashion writer, Christian Allaire
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Scarborough (Arsenal Pulp Press) by Catherine Hernandez, to be championed by actor and activist, Malia Baker
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Life in the City of Dirty Water (Allen Lane, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada) by Clayton Thomas-Müller, to be championed by forest ecologist, Suzanne Simard
Ali Hassan, who stars in the CBC original comedy, Run the Burbs, and hosts CBC Radio’s stand-up comedy show, Laugh Out Loud, returns for his sixth year as host of CANADA READS, moderating the debate between the five panellists, who will champion their chosen Canadian books.
“We know so many of our neighbours are feeling isolated this winter, so the moment feels right to explore stories of community,” said Hassan. “This year’s books will remind readers that we’re all connected and that we’re stronger when we come together. We can work through hard things and find the hope we need to keep going.”
CANADA READS finds new ways each year to raise awareness for a range of Canadian books and authors, and has influenced the way Canadians talk about and consume books. For the past six years years, every CANADA READS finalist has appeared on the Canadian bestseller lists following the announcement of the shortlist, and many titles have spent months on these lists.
For more information, please visit CBCbooks.ca or follow @CBCbooks on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #CanadaReads
