The contenders for the 2016 edition of Canada Reads have been revealed and CanLit lovers are in for an exciting week of literary debates.
Popular 2015 host Wab Kinew will once again step into the role of mediator in the often impassioned discussions, and new this year, Azita Ardakani, founder of the social media company Lovesocial, will read the books alongside Canadians and lead the online discussions.
This year's theme is "Starting Over" and the five selected books reflect this theme in many ways, featuring stories about leaving home, contending with grief, searching for a safe haven, recovering from heartbreak and seizing second chances. Over the course of four days the panelists will defend their chosen books through spirited discussion, with one book selected for elimination each day by a vote amongst the panelists until only the victorious title remains.
The CBC Canada Reads shortlisted books and panelists are:
Birdie by Tracey Lindberg (HarperCollins), defended by Bruce Poon Tip
Bone and Bread by Saleema Nawaz (House of Anansi Press), defended by Farah Mohamed
The Hero’s Walk by Anita Rau Badami (Vintage Canada), defended by Vinay Virmani
The Illegal by Lawrence Hill (HarperCollins), defended by Clara Hughes
Minister Without Portfolio by Michael Winter (Penguin Canada), defended by Adam "Edge" Copeland
The debates will air over four days from March 21 to 24 on CBC TV and online at CBC Books, as well on on CBC Radio One.
Stay tuned to Open Book for more Canada Reads news!
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