Canada Reads, CBC Radio’s annual battle of the books, is currently in its 15th year. It’s always exciting when the five Canada Reads titles are revealed. Over the years this program has highlighted seasoned authors, launched new ones, and has given our country a lot to think about.
This past week your Library hosted Sheila Watt-Cloutier, author of one of this year’s Canada Reads books, “The right to be cold”. CBC’s Cathy Alex spoke with her about her personal experience with climate change.
The Canada Reads website, www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads, is a treasure-trove with its list of past nominees. Here are some of my favorites.
King Leary by Paul Quarrington won Canada Reads in 2008. MacLean’s magazine noted it is “a dazzling display of fictional footwork....the author has not written just another hockey novel; he has turned hockey into a metaphor for magic.” I think that says it all. Quarrington artfully weaves the story of kid who grows from a delinquent sent to reform school into a hockey super star. You may find yourself trying to prefect the "St. Louis Whirligig" on this ice this winter after reading this book.
Lullabies for little criminals by Heather O’Neill won in 2007. This is a disturbing, engaging story about a motherless young girl, Baby, coming of age on the streets of Montreal. She manages to struggle through, and helps her drug-addict father steer them both in a new direction. The absence of a mother in Baby’s life shapes it significantly as she searches for comfort, love and joy. This book made me think about what my son’s life would be like without me, and how, although I’m far from perfect, it’s good for him to have me, and for me to have him.
Angie Abdou’s The bone cage was in the running in 2011. This book provides a glimpse in to the lives of athletes preparing for the Olympics. Abdou follows a swimmer and a wrestler to the pool, the gym, and occasionally in to what most would consider normal life, away the laser-focus on their goals.
2011’s winner, The best laid plans, was Terry Fallis’ debut novel. An engineering professor agrees to run for Parliament, believing he’s a sure-loser. Following a raucous turn of events he wins. This warm, funny, Canadian tale would be a breath of fresh air in these frustrating political times.
The Orenda by Joseph Boyden won in 2014. This is a big, epic story in every sense. Our shared history is brought to life by way of Boyden's smooth and engaging style. It made me look at the bush, lakes, rivers and Sweet Water Sea around me with new, much more open, eyes.
Visit the Canada Reads display at Brodie Library this month and check out one of the past winners or nominees.
Joanna Aegard – www.tbpl.ca. If you have a comment about today's column, we would love to hear from you. Check out the blog at tbplatyourlibrary.blogspot.com
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