For a fan of Canadian literature and the CBC what could be more exciting than the beginning of another season of Canada Reads? Nothing! I can feel the buzz in the air and the constant firing of the synapses. This comes with only one regret, not having read all the books for this round of Canada Reads.
The 2009 selections come with a couple of books I’ve wanted to read and some I’ve never considered reading even though I’ve come across them many times. I’ve already finished one of the books for this season and have another two on the go, one of which I’m past the half way mark.
Again just to recap here are the books for the 2009 take on Canada Reads:
- Lawrence Hill’s The Book of Negroes
- Michel Tremblay’s The Fat Woman Next Door is Pregnant
- Brian Francis’ Fruit
- David Adams Richards’ Mercy Among the Children
- Gil Adamson’s The Outlander
Now, I’m not entirely sure what is more exciting, Christmas Eve or Canada Reads Eve? I’m really excited to see what the panel has to say tomorrow.
It’s no surprise to many of you blog fans out there that actually keep an eye on the Canada Reads competition that Fruit seems to be the underdog that everyone is rooting for. At this point, it’s the only one I’ve finished but I did love it you can find my full review here. But I do have The Fat Woman Next Door is Pregnant on the go as well as The Book of Negroes. I’m enjoying both these books but because I love work Tremblay has done for the stage I’d really like to see his book be victorious. So, basically I’m torn between Tremblay’s and Francis’ novels.
I also want to remind those of you that may not have noticed yet that I’m going to be giving away a copy of the winning novel Canada Reads 2009 because, well, it’s the book deemed a must read by Canadians. Feel free to enter it’s a giveaway open to everyone and anyone. All the best to those that enter, the winner will be selected Saturday morning.
I hope there are others out there as excited about the week ahead as I am!
That's the Book! 
I managed to read The Outlander and Mercy Among the Children. The Book of Negroes has just arrived from the library. I found the challenge late and the books had long waiting lists at the library, which is a good thing really. I don’t like the sound of the other two books, I would not normally have chosen them for myself. But I’ve never read Tremblay so I will still read his book even after the decision. And possibly Fruit but talking nipples are definitely outside my comfort zone.
I don’t see how anything could be more powerful than Mercy Among the Children. I enjoyed Outlander very much but I was blown away by Richards’ book so I’m secretly rooting for it. Sad to hear that several people doing the challenge said they couldn’t finish the book, too long or too sad or something. Sounds like something a child would say. I’m excited to hear what they have to say about the books tomorrow too. Happy reading.
Sandra: Thank you so much for the insights on these novels. I’m still a little skeptical about reading Mercy Among the Children but I’ll eventually get around to that. Book of Negroes is great, I hope you enjoy it too.