Canada Reads
Five books, five champions, one winner: Canada Reads has been getting people listening, watching and, of course, reading, for more than two decades. Each day of the competition, one book will be eliminated until a winner is declared the must-read book for Canadians.
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 ten 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.
The first winner of Canada Reads in 2002 was In the Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje, championed by musician Steven Page.
Past panellists include the winningest Canadian contestant in the history of Jeopardy! and the host of CBC’s Bookends, Mattea Roach; athletes Olympian Clara Hughes and wrestler Adam Copeland; and actors such as Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and Devery Jacobs.
The great Canadian book debate first aired as a radio show in 2002. Today, Canada Reads is available on CBC Radio, CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBCbooks.ca, CBC Listen and YouTube.
CBCbooks.ca has all the latest on Canada Reads, or follow @CBCbooks on TikTok and Instagram using the hashtag #CanadaReads.
Announcements
1 day ago
CBC's Canada Reads Marks its 25th Anniversary, April 13-16, Searching for ‘One Book to Build Bridges’
CBC’s great Canadian book debate, Canada Reads, returns for its 25th edition, Monday, April 13 through Thursday, April 16.
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January 23rd 2025 at 14:42
CBC’s Canada Reads Returns March 17-20, Searching for ‘One Book to Change the Narrative’
CBC’s great Canadian book debate, CANADA READS, returns for its 24th edition, Monday, March 17 through Thursday, March 20. Ali Hassan will host a panel of celebrity advocates championing Canadian books that speak to this year’s theme, “One Book to Change the Narrative.”
March 7th 2024 at 17:42
The Future by Catherine Leroux Wins the 23rd Edition of CBC’s Canada Reads
CBC’s CANADA READS 2024 concluded today with a live elimination vote, and The Future by Catherine Leroux has been voted Canada’s must-read book for 2024.
January 11th 2024 at 14:37
CBC'S CANADA READS RETURNS MARCH 4-7, SEARCHING FOR ‘ONE BOOK TO CARRY US FORWARD’
January 11, 2024 – CBC’s great Canadian book debate, CANADA READS, returns for its 23rd edition, Monday, March 4 through Thursday, March 7. Ali Hassan will host a panel of celebrity advocates championing Canadian books that speak to this year’s theme, “One Book to Carry Us Forward.” Each day of the competition, one book will be eliminated by the panellists until a winner is declared Canada's must-read book in 2024. The CANADA READS 2024 debates will broadcast ea...
March 30th 2023 at 17:12
KATE BEATON’S DUCKS WINS THE 22ND EDITION OF CBC’S CANADA READS
CBC’s CANADA READS concluded today with a live elimination vote, and Ducks by Kate Beaton has been voted Canada’s must-read book for 2023. It is the first graphic narrative to win the annual battle of the books. Over four days of lively debate, moderated by seven-time host Ali Hassan, five celebrity panellists championed their chosen Canadian books that speak to the theme, ‘One Book to Shift Your Perspective.’ Each day of the competition, one book was eliminated by the panellists until Beaton...
January 25th 2023 at 13:44
CBC'S CANADA READS RETURNS MARCH 27-30, SEARCHING FOR ‘ONE BOOK TO SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE’
CBC’s great Canadian book debate, CANADA READS, returns for its 22nd edition, Monday, March 27 through Thursday, March 30. Ali Hassan will host a panel of celebrity advocates championing Canadian books that speak to this year’s theme, “One Book to Shift Your Perspective.” 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 2023. The CANADA READS 2023 debates will broadcast each day on CBC Radio, with a live...
January 26th 2022 at 14:22
CBC'S CANADA READS RETURNS IN MARCH FOR ITS 21ST EDITION, WITH THE THEME ‘ONE BOOK TO CONNECT US’
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...
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March 11th 2021 at 18:06
JOSHUA WHITEHEAD’S JONNY APPLESEED WINS THE 20TH EDITION OF CBC’S CANADA READS
Championed by Mohawk actor and filmmaker, Devery Jacobs, Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead defeated Francesca Ekwuyasi’s Butter Honey Pig Bread, defended by acclaimed chef, TV host and recording artist, Roger Mooking
January 14th 2021 at 13:59
CBC'S CANADA READS RETURNS IN MARCH FOR ITS LANDMARK 20TH EDITION, WITH THE THEME ‘ONE BOOK TO TRANSPORT US’
CBC’s great Canadian book debate, CANADA READS, returns for its 20th edition, Monday, March 8 through Thursday, March 11. Hosted by Ali Hassan, a panel of celebrity advocates will champion Canadian books that speak to the theme, “One Book to Transport Us.”
January 22nd 2020 at 1:03
CBC BOOKS ANNOUNCES CELEBRITY DEFENDERS AND SHORTLISTED TITLES
CBC today announced the celebrity panellists and their chosen books for CANADA READS 2020.
March 28th 2019 at 15:19
BY CHANCE ALONE BY MAX EISEN WINS CANADA READS 2019
By Chance Alone by Max Eisen (HarperCollins) has won CANADA READS 2019.
January 29th 2019 at 20:24
CHUCK COMEAU, LISA RAY, ZIYA TONG, YANIC TRUESDALE AND JOE ZEE ARE THE CELEBRITY PANELLISTS FOR CANADA READS 2019
CBC today announced the CANADA READS 2019 panellists and their chosen books. The celebrity panellists defending this year’s contending titles are: Simple Plan drummer Chuck Comeau; model, actor, TV host and philanthropist Lisa Ray; TV host and science journalist Ziya Tong (Daily Planet); actor Yanic Truesdale (Gilmore Girls); and stylist, creative director, producer and media personality Joe Zee.
January 9th 2019 at 19:01
CBC BOOKS ANNOUNCES CANADA READS 2019 THEME, HOST AND LONGLIST
CBC Books has announced the CANADA READS 2019 longlist of 15 books that speak to the theme of “one book to move you.” Spanning separations and reconciliations, wars of the past and present, personal histories and imagined futures, these titles will disturb and disrupt, inspire and incite, and move readers to feel, to think and to act.
April 11th 2018 at 5:01
CBC PARTNERS WITH DON CARMODY TELEVISION TO DEVELOP ADAPTATION OF 2018 CANADA READS WINNER FORGIVENESS
CBC has partnered with Don Carmody Television (DCTV) to develop a scripted adaptation of the 2018 Canada Reads-winning book, Forgiveness, written by Mark Sakamoto.
March 29th 2018 at 14:39
FORGIVENESS BY MARK SAKAMOTO WINS CANADA READS 2018
Forgiveness by Mark Sakamoto has won CANADA READS 2018. Forgiveness was championed by media personality Jeanne Beker, and was chosen by the five celebrity panellists as the book for Canadians to read in 2018.
January 5th 2018 at 19:32
CBC BOOKS ANNOUNCES CANADA READS 2018 THEME, HOST AND LONGLIST
CBC Books has announced a Canada Reads 2018 longlist of 15 books that speak to the theme: One Book to Open Your Eyes. From intimate memoirs to dystopian fiction, the longlisted titles challenge readers to look differently at themselves, their neighbours and the world around them.
March 30th 2017 at 15:50
FIFTEEN DOGS BY ANDRÉ ALEXIS WINS CANADA READS 2017
Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis has won CANADA READS 2017. Fifteen Dogs was championed by spoken word artist and emcee Humble The Poet, and was chosen by the five celebrity panellists as the book Canada needs to read in 2017.
January 31st 2017 at 11:29
HUMBLE THE POET, CHANTAL KREVIAZUK, JODY MITIC, CANDY PALMATER AND TAMARA TAYLOR ARE THE CELEBRITY PANELLISTS FOR CANADA READS 2017
CBC today announced the 2017 CANADA READS panellists and their chosen books.
December 19th 2016 at 12:59
CBC BOOKS ANNOUNCES CANADA READS 2017 THEME, HOST AND LONGLIST
CBC Books today announced the Canada Reads 2017 longlist of 15 books. Debating the question, “What is the one book Canadians need now?” Canada Reads 2017 is looking at stories that help us explore the diverse perspectives that make this nation what it is today, and to reflect on where we’re heading.
March 24th 2016 at 15:00
THE ILLEGAL BY LAWRENCE HILL WINS CANADA READS 2016
Winning panellist Clara Hughes secures a second Canada Reads win for Lawrence Hill
January 20th 2016 at 13:59
ADAM "EDGE" COPELAND, CLARA HUGHES, FARAH MOHAMED, BRUCE POON TIP AND VINAY VIRMANI ARE THE CELEBRITY PANELLISTS FOR CANADA READS 2016
This morning on q, CBC Radio One’s daily arts, culture and entertainment program, Shad announced the CANADA READS panellists and their chosen books.
December 16th 2015 at 13:44
CBC BOOKS ANNOUNCES CANADA READS 2016 THEME, HOST AND LONGLIST
CBC Books announces the Canada Reads 2016 longlist of 15 books, diverse stories that take place across the country and around the globe, in imaginary lands and in the future.
November 19th 2015 at 21:19
WAB KINEW TO HOST CANADA READS 2015
This year’s theme is “one book to break barriers.” Panelists will debate books that change perspectives, challenge stereotypes and illuminate issues. Canada Reads will consider both fiction and nonfiction books.
September 3rd 2015 at 16:35
CBC RADIO ONE'S FALL 2015 SEASON LAUNCHES ON LABOUR DAY WITH RETURNING FAVOURITES, NEW SHOWS AND AN ORIGINAL PODCAST SERIES
CBC Radio One announces the start of its new fall season, launching Labour Day, Monday, Sept. 7, with a fresh lineup of original programming encompassing current affairs, news, science and technology, arts and comedy.
March 19th 2015 at 14:46
RU BY KIM THÚY WINS CANADA READS 2015: ONE BOOK TO BREAK BARRIERS
Winning panellist Cameron Bailey joins Kim Thúy on CBC Radio One's Q on Friday, March 20
January 20th 2015 at 21:52
CAMERON BAILEY, CRAIG KIELBURGER, KRISTIN KREUK, ELAINE "LAINEY" LUI AND MARTHA WAINWRIGHT ARE THE CELEBRITY PANELLISTS FOR CANADA READS 2015: ONE BOOK TO BREAK BARRIERS
This morning on Q, CBC Radio One’s energetic daily arts, culture and entertainment program, guest host Candy Palmater announced the CANADA READS: One book to break barriers panelists and their chosen books.
March 6th 2014 at 15:43
THE ORENDA BY JOSEPH BOYDEN WINS CANADA READS 2014: ONE NOVEL TO CHANGE OUR NATION
Winning panelist Wab Kinew joins Joseph Boyden on CBC Radio One's Q with Jian Ghomeshi on Friday, March 7.
February 25th 2014 at 13:30
GET READY FOR CANADA READS: ONE NOVEL TO CHANGE OUR NATION! MARCH 3-6 ON CBC RADIO ONE, CBCBOOKS.ca, CBC-TV & DOCUMENTARY
Celebrity panelists battle it out to crown Canada's must-read title for 2014
November 27th 2013 at 14:13
DONOVAN BAILEY, SAMANTHA BEE, SARAH GADON, WAB KINEW AND STEPHEN LEWIS ARE THE CELEBRITY PANELLISTS FOR CANADA READS 2014: ONE NOVEL TO CHANGE OUR NATION
Also revealed are the five titles they will defend in this year's battle of the books
October 2nd 2013 at 14:45
CBC LAUNCHES CANADA READS 2014: ONE NOVEL TO CHANGE OUR NATION
Today, Jian Ghomeshi, host of CBC Radio One and CBC- TV's national arts and culture program Q, announced the theme for CANADA READS 2014
February 14th 2013 at 14:54
FEBRUARY BY LISA MOORE WINS CANADA READS 2013: TURF WARS
Winning panelist Trent McClellan joins Lisa Moore on Q with Jian Ghomeshi on Friday, February 15
February 7th 2013 at 17:21
GET READY FOR THE CANADA READS: TURF WARS DEBATES! FEBRUARY 11-14 ON CBC RADIO ONE, CBC BOOKS, DOCUMENTARY & CBC-TV
Celebrity panelists battle it out to crown Canada's must-read title for 2013
November 29th 2012 at 14:20
CBC BOOKS REVEALS THE FIVE TITLES COMPETING IN CANADA READS: TURF WARS
Celebrity panelists for 2013 are Jay Baruchel, Charlotte Gray, Carol Huynh, Ron MacLean and Trent McClellan
October 10th 2012 at 15:54
CBC Launches Canada Reads 2013: Turf Wars
Today, Jian Ghomeshi, host of CBC Radio One and TV's national arts and culture program Q, announced the public campaign for CANADA READS 2013: TURF WARS. CANADA READS, CBC's annual battle of the books, has divided the country into five...
January 31st 2012 at 13:43
CANADA READS 2012 FEATURES BIGGEST SHOW TO DATE - AIRING ON CBC RADIO ONE, CBC.CA, DOCUMENTARY AND CBC-TV
Celebrity panelists battle it out for four days to determine this year’s must-read Canadian non-fiction.